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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 10, 2006 22:26:54 GMT -5
"Being friends with that family can get you put to death," I told her, clenching my hands and feeling the blood pound in my veins. "I mean it Avive, as long as you are here as my ward you will have nothing to do with them Is that clear?"
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 10, 2006 22:31:08 GMT -5
My heart throbbed in my chest as I saw how serious Alain was. Breathing deeply, I said, "Yes, I understand. I will terminate my friendship with him immediately and I will stay with my guard next time." Unsure if I should leave or stay, I stood quietly, feeling tears forming behind my half-shut lids.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 10, 2006 23:26:55 GMT -5
I saw the hurt look on her face, and it softened my voice, even while it did nothing for the things I was feeling.
"I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but you have no real idea how Shahrizai behave. There are no simple friendships or innocent encounters," I told her.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 10, 2006 23:29:30 GMT -5
I nodded, face hot as I blinked back the tears that threatened to burst forth at any minute. "I understand," I said.
"May I send a message by courier to tell him I am unable to meet him? It's the proper thing to do, I think." I did not want to Dominic to think I forgot about our lunch plans.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 10, 2006 23:43:36 GMT -5
"Write him a note, and I will deliver it to him. When and where were you to meet him?" I asked.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 10, 2006 23:44:42 GMT -5
"Two days hence," I said, "in Night's Doorstep, near the White Hart where we first met. We were to have lunch."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 10, 2006 23:53:57 GMT -5
"Alright. Write him your note and I will deliver it before then."
I turned back to my map, drawing a deep breath.
"You can go now. I will see you at dinner."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 11, 2006 0:04:23 GMT -5
"Yes, cousin," I said quietly. "Tomorrow I will begin work on the library. If there are any books in here that you would like shelved, please let me know."
I turned and quietly left the office, heading to my room. I quietly closed the door and gazed at my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks were puffy and my eyes were red from trying not to cry. I let them spill, standing there until I was cried dry. But I made not a sound. Cousin Alain was working. I mustn't disturb him.
Picking up my spectacles, I began to write:
To my Lord Dominic Shahrizai,
Due to incapacitating circumstances, I regret to inform you that I will be unable to meet you for lunch as we planned. Please do not think any less of me for this; rest assured I still hold you in the highest regard. I look forward to seeing you again, even if the time is not now or soon. Until that day, I remain
Yours sincerely, Avive de Mauvais
I lit a candle and let the wax drip, sealing the letter and addressing it. Opening my journal, I began to write, and I would not stop until dinner.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 11, 2006 0:18:18 GMT -5
I knew she probably thought me unfair and irrational, but in this I would not budge. She would not associate with that family as long as her welfare was my responsibility. I could not protect her from all evil, but I could make a start with this.
I dropped into the chair behind my desk, sighing deeply. I would make sure that this Dominic knew exactly how far I would go to protect Avive from him, there would be no ambiguity.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 11, 2006 16:05:07 GMT -5
Let it not be said that Avive de Mauvais is not an obedient child. At five minutes to six, just before Bonnie called us for dinner, I made my way down to Alain's office. The door was closed, so I knocked and said, "Cousin, it's me. I hvae the note."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 11, 2006 16:13:41 GMT -5
I had accomplished nothing the rest of the day. I would start on something and then realize with a start that my mind had wandered and I was staring off into space. Any other day, I would have saddled Belleza and gone off for a ride, but I had a feeling that being absent from dinner would only make things worse.
"Come in Avive," I said when she knocked at my door.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 11, 2006 16:16:29 GMT -5
I open the door and slipped inside. I approached his desk and handed him the letter. "Here you go."
I looked him in the eye as I said, "I may disagree with you, but my respect for you and this family comes before anything else. You are older and wiser and I believe you know best. Thank you for looking out for my well-being, it means a great deal."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 11, 2006 16:39:17 GMT -5
I had been ready to apologize for my outburst earlier, not change my mind, but apologize for my manner. Something in her words stopped me, and set me back on edge a bit.
Taking the letter, I set it aside. "You're welcome Avive. I have no illusions that agree with me, I think that is fairly obvious. I am not going to limit every person you can interact with, but there are people who are more dangerous than I hope you ever have cause to know."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 11, 2006 16:41:16 GMT -5
"I understand," I said. "I am sorry I upset you."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 11, 2006 16:53:52 GMT -5
I sighed deeply, she was upset with me and pouting it appeared.
"Go on," I said. "I will be at the table in a moment. Unless you would prefer not to eat in my company tonight."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 11, 2006 16:59:27 GMT -5
"Please," I said. "I would like to eat with you. I want to talk more about the library." Which I did. It was very difficult to stay angry at Alain, I found.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 11, 2006 17:13:42 GMT -5
"Alright, " I said, nodding slightly. "I will be right there."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 11, 2006 17:20:34 GMT -5
Nodding to him, I slipped out again and into the dining room. I feared our relationship was irreparably damaged, and I would hate to live here and never speak again. I needed to figure out how to make amends, and quickly.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 11, 2006 21:49:15 GMT -5
I ran my fingers through my hair and took a few deep breaths. The problem was that I wanted to go find that Shahrizai and pound him until he swore never to come within a league of Avive again. Diplomacy and manners left a lot to be desired at times like this.
Standing, I looked down and saw a nut that had fallen from my baklava and rolled under my desk. Shaking my head slightly, I smiled, it really wasn't Avive's fault and I needed to make sure she knew that.
Leaving my office I headed to the dining room. Reaching out, I ruffled her hair as I walked by her on the way to my seat.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 11, 2006 21:53:25 GMT -5
I was surprised and pleased by his caress and I leaned into him, squeezing his arm affectionately as he walked past. As we took our seats at the laden table, I gave him a wide smile.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 11, 2006 22:00:18 GMT -5
Returning her smile, I began to fill my plate.
"What are your plans for the library?" I asked, thinking it a good safe subject.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 11, 2006 22:16:39 GMT -5
I clapped my hands quickly to jog my memory. "I thought I would give the entire thing a good cleaning," I said. "Then I'll shelve the books by subject, and each subject in alphabetical order by title. Anything I think of that the library needs in that time, I'll leave space for and write down. Then I will work on finding those missing books." I sipped my wine.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 11, 2006 22:20:27 GMT -5
"Very impressive," I said with a smile. "It sounds like you'll have that place finished in no time at all with such plans. Make sure to let me know if there is anything you need that you are having trouble finding. Also, feel free to move any of the furniture or decorations from the sitting rooms into the library. There are plenty of people around to help move the heavy stuff."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 12, 2006 18:25:09 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said. "If there are any books in your office you would like shelved, leave them in the library tomorrow morning and I will tend to them. Also, I will need space to put the books while the library is being cleaned; may I use this table? It is quite large, and I will have it all cleaned up by supper time."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 12, 2006 21:33:40 GMT -5
"Of course you can use the table," I said after swallowing my mouthful. "No rush to get it cleaned off, either. We can eat in at the table in the kitchen."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 12, 2006 21:41:35 GMT -5
"That's wonderful!" I exclaimed happily, taking a forkful of vegetables. "After I'm finished, you will want to make your library the sitting room, it will be so perfect."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 12, 2006 21:50:04 GMT -5
"Once you get it done, we will have to go out and celebrate somewhere very fancy," I told her, grinning.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 12, 2006 21:53:10 GMT -5
I gave him a smile. "I can hardly wait."
"When can I meet your friends?" I asked. In truth I was asking, When can I meet your ladyfriend?, but I was more subtle than that. "They will have to come by sometime, or I will have to go to them and pay my respects."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 12, 2006 22:03:55 GMT -5
"You're going to do everything there is to do in a month at this rate and then you'll have to go back home cause you'll be bored," I said, grinning and dodging her question. I wanted to speak to Cybane first and see how she felt about meeting Avive before I made plans.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 12, 2006 22:07:38 GMT -5
I wrinkled my nose at him. "I will not," I insisted, "I just want to really be settled, and to do that I need to meet more people."
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