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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 9, 2006 23:29:05 GMT -5
"Being so close knit is what leads many outsiders to believe you are all so alike," I said, relaxing more as I got comfortable with her. She was really very interesting and I was enjoying myself. "I will admit to having a rather narrow experience with your family, though an intimate one, and being guilty of some of those misconceptions."
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 9, 2006 23:33:14 GMT -5
"WE may support each other around those not of our blood, but within our ranks there is as much intrigue as we enjoy sowing among the other d'Angelines," I explained. "While this has it's own flaws, we cannot help but do this and reject the idea to do otherwise. At least, most of us."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 9, 2006 23:37:24 GMT -5
I nodded slightly, thinking on what she said. "I shall remember that and try not to make such wide assumptions," I said, smiling.
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 9, 2006 23:38:43 GMT -5
"That is all I could wish of you," I told her honestly. "After all, if some of us were not thought of well or sure to be polite and behaved we may all have been killed by now."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 9, 2006 23:45:39 GMT -5
"That would be a tragedy beyond words," I said softly, but honestly. The blood in my veins that burned even with this companionable nearness to a Shahrizai grieved at the thought of them destroyed.
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 9, 2006 23:48:18 GMT -5
"Especially to those of us who would be killed," I commented wryly but kindly, glad that she understood. "But enough, it's time to think of more cheerful things- like gowns for a Shahrizai fete. Make sure the money you pay isn't too extravagant- we tend to like the sound of ripping fabric, especially expensive sorts."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 9, 2006 23:54:17 GMT -5
Chuckling, I told her, "I have enough for something nice, but not for anything expensive. Should someone want to do any ripping, they shall have to be satisfied with a slightly less pleasing sound."
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 0:00:33 GMT -5
"I'm sure they won't mind," I teased. "In your case at least. Unfortunately, since I'm performing and have the money I'm expected to. Though it's also somewhat satisfying to know that someone could rip it from me and I could punish them for it."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 0:05:30 GMT -5
A little thrill moved through me at her words.
"Would you make them rip it and then punish them for it?" I asked, both curious and teasing.
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 0:08:18 GMT -5
"I may- but only if they played the same game as I did," I replied, thinking of Talenon. "With those who don't fight me for control I make very sure to keep the rules the same throughout. It does not set a good precedent or provide enjoyment to break trust."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 0:13:31 GMT -5
"That's very wise," I said, smiling.
A display in a window we were passing caught my eye. "Oh, isn't that a lovely shade?" I asked, pointing to the deep green of the dress on display.
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 0:16:29 GMT -5
"It is very nice and would become you well," I replied. "Though I find that not all appreciate my personal taste in clothing." The sleeves overflowed with white lace, as did the top of the bodice, designed to show teasing amounts of skin at the breasts.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 0:56:22 GMT -5
"I like it," I said. "Though I have been told repeatedly that I look better in dresses with less fluff to them. I am told I am not big enough for them."
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 1:23:17 GMT -5
"I'm not exactly large myself, but I find myself feeling so lovely and confident in such things when the occasion merits that I wear them anyway." Tal hated to talk about clothing, constantly maintaining that it would be best if I wore none at all.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 14:31:44 GMT -5
"It might be nice to wear something that made me feel less… naked," I commented, chuckling softly. "Perhaps I shall try something less sleek this time."
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 15:03:53 GMT -5
"It would also offer the appearance of modesty and demureness, something that can be enticing in the right situation."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 16:47:45 GMT -5
"Would it be the right situation for something like that?" I asked, truly curious. "I would hate to stand out as the only person dressed modestly."
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 19:49:31 GMT -5
"The only thing that I heard from Mala was that it was a night to honor Kushiel as one sees fit," I replied. "To me, that means dressing from the heart and soul. Kushiel loved his games, but he also, I believe, was impressed by honesty."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 20:00:00 GMT -5
My hand came up and I lightly traced the lines of the green dress through the window glass. Honesty, I thought, did I really know what that was anymore? I had thought I was being true to myself and honest when I told Delaunay that I could not tell him I loved him or leave Valerian until my marque was made, yet every day that passed without him replying to my letter or coming to see me, was more painful than the last. I missed him, I missed the way we had been before Midwinter, his smile that seemed so rare and yet bloomed so often for me.
Blinking quickly to keep the tears that threatened from falling, I dropped my hand back to my side.
"I think something more modest than what I usual wear to fetes, but perhaps with less flounce than this," I said.
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 21:38:01 GMT -5
"That would suit you and the party very well," I agreed. "But I think I would like to see if they have a dress like the green in the blue I've been craving to wear. Would you like to step in with me or continue shopping on your own?
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 22:17:11 GMT -5
"I'd like to see what else they have inside," I told her. "It looks the most promising of the stores we've passed."
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 22:21:57 GMT -5
"Then let's go," I told her, taking her arm again as I led her inside the shop.
Within, the place had a singularly eclectic look that caused my grin to widen. Patiently I waited for an employee to find me, knowing that if I went looking they would become instantly distressed due to my family appearance and then all of the challenge would be gone. Besides, I needed to think of something for Tal.
Turning to Douleur I gestured at the large array of gowns and fabrics. "Go and frolic," I said in a playfully magnanimous voice.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 22:33:39 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said with a grin and a slight curtsey.
I wandered over to a display of dresses, picking through them. There was a fantastic dress, with a cut that I just loved, but it was in a red that held tints of orange and would have looked horrid on me.
As I kept looking, I wondered what to do with my hair. Perhaps just a simple braid depending on the dress. My thoughts were wandering so, that I almost missed the dress, looking just in time.
It was a green just a bit darker than the one in the window, with bell sleeves and a full but not overly so skirt. It was all velvet except for an insert of black lace across the bodice that would show just a hint of cleavage. There was also the same black lace around the hem and the edge of the sleeves.
It was lovely and perfect. I gathered the dress up and went to find Sirena to ask her opinion.
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 22:41:05 GMT -5
I'd finally been seen and enquired as to the possibility of the gown I was looking for- there was a good deal of deep blue and I picked one that shined a grey so deep as to be almost pewter when in the right light. It was my secret way of showing loyalty to my grey-eyed Shahrizai cousin whom I loved so deeply to wear something that he would know he'd influenced, just as he did the same for me. He was my waves when I couldn't have the sea.
I'd just turned to find Douleur and let her know I'd be getting fitted when she came with the dress she'd chosen. "Very nice- you may have to think hard about the jewelry for it though," I said with an experienced eye. "Come, you can get fitted after I do or else you'll be here all day." Without another word I turned on my heel, expecting her to follow.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 22:45:51 GMT -5
Following obediently, it was my nature after all, I said, "I think I shall go without jewelry. I don't really have any to wear anyway."
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 23:01:22 GMT -5
"I'm going to wear black pearls," I replied absently, eyes slightly glazed as I thought of the image. "They'll be like smooth stones you find on the beach, or coal covered in glass."
Instinctively I managed to get both of us to the room where the seamstress waited and, once the door was closed, undressed without any further ado or evidence of shame. Really, my mind wasn't focused on the present, but I didn't care.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 23:04:49 GMT -5
She obviously wasn't worried about modesty, but I averted my eyes demurely as she stripped. It was not seemly to stare after all. Instead, I looked at the dress I held in my arms and thought about what I would do to accessorize. A braid definitely for my hair, and my silver hair sticks. That would be enough.
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 23:08:22 GMT -5
THoughts still crowded with the most interesting, if unreal and impossible, things I stepped onto the center of the room and onto the dais. The seamstress was not quick, but she was thorough and I managed to stay still, distracted as I was. "Is there anyone you're hoping to see at the party?" I asked once I'd managed to focus. "There must be a cousin of mine who's caught your eye from the way you've seemed to think of us."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 23:22:52 GMT -5
I looked up, a little startled out of my thoughts.
"I have spent time with some members of your family," I told her. "Though I can not say which since they were patrons. Is there anyone you are hoping will be there?"
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Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2006 23:27:28 GMT -5
"I know who will be there and it's always a pleasure to see my family," I replied, lifting my arms so the seamstress could measure my bust. "Though I'm wondering if anyone not closely related and attractive will be there- after all, I have to marry and have heirs at some point in time. I have a habit of being picky, though."
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