Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2006 19:28:11 GMT -5
Bringing my hand up, I trailed my gloved finger down the back of his neck.
"And what is the rate for your skills, sweet boy?" I purred, pressing very close to him.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jul 9, 2006 19:32:14 GMT -5
"That depends," I said, eye cast downward to hide a small sense of triumph and cautiousness, "On which skills you were looking to purchase. If there's a signale involved the price, of course, goes up slightly. Since I would be unable to work for a day or so."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2006 19:38:47 GMT -5
Laughing genuinely, I told him. "Sweet sweet boy, it would be far more than a day or two." I brushed my lips against his ear and then withdrew completely.
I stepped around a display and glanced over at the shopkeeper and the old lady, they seemed to be wrapping things up so the keep would be free soon.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jul 9, 2006 19:45:24 GMT -5
I knew that I was supposed to be unnerved by her sudden departure, but I had been in Bryony, where people wore their power like a cloak, even if it was a different sort of power than that possessed by a Mandrake or a Shahrizai. It took more that her Jaiden-esque teasing to make me cringe.
Without even a change of expression I picked up a jar of lavender and inhaled the scent. Closing my eyes I thought, truth and wonder- my Riva before putting the stopper back in and wandering over to another display. If the Shahrizai wanted to pursue me she would, and acting indifferent to her advances would either keep her at arm's length, which would be fine, or cause her to pursue me even more dilligently, which could also work to my advantage. And I had great patience for such things.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
|
Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2006 19:52:30 GMT -5
I watched the boy from the corner of my eye, smiling at his self possession. They did train them for that at Bryony, but his was natural as well.
Absently I pictured him bound to my bed, wearing my new cuffs. His skin would mark so wonderfully, I could tell. All those new toys to play with… perhaps.
Then I pictured Dominic coming home from wherever it was he had gone in a huff. Between the two of us the dear boy wouldn't be so sweet and pretty in the end.
"So, if I was to be willing to pay your rate, where would I find you?" I asked him.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jul 9, 2006 19:58:15 GMT -5
Turning, not letting my pride at having judged her correctly or playing the odds to my benefit show even slightly in any of my features I gave her a calm look. "Why, you would find me at House Liatris, Lady Shahrizai," I said matter-of-factly and with a charming grin.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2006 20:07:41 GMT -5
I laughed in delight. "So, it is the hand of that glorified stable girl that holds your leash, is it? I have been away, I did not realize she was in the City. And she's found herself a pretty boy to run her errands," I said, stalking over to him again. "And spy for her too, if I guess right. Does she make you riffle through your patron's things and then report back to her? Do you crawl into bed with her and try to stir some warmth into her frigid flesh while whispering pilfered secrets in her ear?"
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jul 9, 2006 20:18:13 GMT -5
Her words almost matched Riva's when we'd first met; that memory gave me something to hold on to when I otherwise would have bristled sullenly. With a raised brow, I said, "She bought my marque and I work for her in whatever ways the limits of her contract dictate. In return I am free to do what I wish when not working the Duchesse's will and gain my permanent freedom come spring. All in all, it was a deal well made."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2006 20:26:15 GMT -5
"I would expect no less than a well made deal from a sweet little Bryony flower such as yourself," I said, my tone low and dripping with sweetness as I stepped as close as possible to him without actually touching. "You have coupled with her though haven't you? Felt her leathery skin against yours, known the heat of her around wetness around you? Or could it be that the Duchess finds her pleasure in giving up her control…. Does she kneel before you while you spill yourself down her greedy throat?"
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jul 9, 2006 20:34:06 GMT -5
Impassive I looked at her with the same cool composure. "Perhaps; and perhaps she just needed someone of intelligence with the skills only Bryony training can offer- contracts and paperwork who has potential in other fields as well, who is discreet and good with money."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2006 21:49:21 GMT -5
"Doubtful, there are plenty of people who would fill that role. There's only one reason to capture yourself a personal adept, anything else he or she can do with their free time is a bonus."
I could feel the eyes of the shopkeeper on us as the old lady finally left.
"You don't really think the Duchess chose you for skills with coin. You are too pretty not to make a person's mouth water, even a dried up biddy like her. I've seen the other man she had leashed to her side, the Duchess may be an ogre, but she does have an eye for male flesh."
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jul 9, 2006 21:56:03 GMT -5
"True, others may possess the skill, but not necessarily the talent," I said, cocking my head slightly sideways. "Also, most common factors are not trained in the ways of the Court. Her reasons are her own, I suppose- I am happy to have made an excellent contract for myself and be gaining my freedom more quickly than if I had stayed in my House. Whether it was my skills or my pretty face, it was effective."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2006 22:00:05 GMT -5
I brought my hand up and stroked the line of his cheek.
"For 10,000 ducats would I be able to keep you bound to my bed and play with you until cried your signale through your screams of pain?" I asked, my voice a bare whisper.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jul 9, 2006 22:12:28 GMT -5
For a moment I let my eyes rest on hers, thinking as quickly as I ever had; could I take that and live? I could buy Riva's marque free and clear, but she would feel the wounds as well. I knew she would, I had felt hers. Could I hurt us both for the chance of being together?
Face impassive once more I said, "There's a possibility- but I would need some assurances first. Half of the money would have to be payed up-front, the rest on completion of the assignation. Also, as it will be dealing with myself having a signale, I would want a witnesses signature."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2006 22:20:17 GMT -5
I sighed, pressed my gloved finger to his chest and pushed him back away from me.
"Now I recall why Bryony adepts are so counterproductive to pleasure," I told him, my voice taking on a honed edge. "If I didn't know better, I would think you didn't trust me, little boy."
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jul 9, 2006 22:25:29 GMT -5
Gracefully I stepped back against the pressure of her finger. "No offense, Lady Shahrizai, but I have never dabbled in this sector of the Arts before; therefore, I am cautious. The only protection an adept has is their contract, especially outside the bounds of the Night Court." Where her tone was cutting, mine had the fixed quality of stone or shield, deflecting the feeling behind her words and hearing what she was actually saying. I didn't need this contract, it was a mere luxury; while the money would cause some of my goals to be met more quickly, if she pulled back her offer it would cause me no real distress.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2006 22:32:43 GMT -5
"I think you put too much stock in contracts," I said. "It really only has worth, if the person signing it fears the consequences of breaking it. And I, dear boy, fear nothing… not even the mistress at whose feet you sit. Go fetch her supplies, I will need time alone with the herbalist, no sense in you waiting if there's nothing for you to gain from it."
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jul 9, 2006 22:37:01 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said graciously with an impartial grin; the game had been well-played and I felt the winner for it, since she had wanted and did not end up getting on her own terms. Walking over the herbalist I gave him the verbal list of herbs and oils that were needed, adding a small bottle of lavender oil, a suprise for Riva. I didn't even glance back at the Shahrizai, playing my bet for the second time- if I ignored her, she would either come up again or she would keep clear of me. Still, my cautiousness ruled me, as always, and I kept an ear open for any change in the shop.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2006 22:46:19 GMT -5
I watched him perform his duties like a trained monkey, how fitting for his barbarian owner. He was pretty, no doubt, but in truth I had never really planned on taking him home. I had learned my lesson once, it was not an incident I needed to relive. I would not leave the City again because of an adept who was unable to handle my ministrations.
It was interesting to see what people would do for money though, and it was Dominic's money after all, I cared not how much I spent.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jul 9, 2006 22:49:37 GMT -5
Once everything was packaged I paid for the items and, with a nod to the Shahrizai, made my way out the door. I'd already spent a good deal of time out in the City and needed to ready some of the things I had in the works. I had one side of the box done and had figured out the picture on the opposite side- it was what I did to keep myself busy until I could see Riva again.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2006 22:57:16 GMT -5
I watched him go and then approached the herbalist. He bowed and stuttered, and with a sigh I resigned myself to sweetness and light while I dealt with him. I needed these things to be exact, I didn't need him fumbling things in fear.
The items I wanted wouldn't be ready until the next day, so he would bring them to me. One was an oil that stimulated blood flow and could increase sexual passion when applied to the skin. The other was a salve that intense sensations of pleasure wherever it was applied. Both were colorless and odorless and could be mixed with my lily essence.
I also purchased the teardrop bottle.
That managed, I headed back to my carriage and on to my next stop.
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