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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 24, 2007 12:23:23 GMT -5
She was obviously not completely happy, and at her admission, I nodded in understanding. "Do you have plans, once its complete?"
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 24, 2007 14:32:25 GMT -5
“Somewhat,” I replied. “I’ve a mind to go home, and trace back my father, if he is still alive. But to be sincere, it’s occurred to me recently that plans are easily undone, and so my motivation is much simpler. I…” I paused, thinking. “I just want to be free.”
It was true. Until I was free, my affections were not mine – and more and more, I was tired of the Service. Ironically, it was my own pickiness that had driven me to it, and so I would try to accept it gratefully. But nevertheless, it weighed on me.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 24, 2007 14:35:52 GMT -5
Again, something I understood quite well. "Are you close?" I asked, refering to her marque. She was about the age that we started having the marquist ink our finales.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 24, 2007 15:03:07 GMT -5
“Well…” I paused, thinking. “I have been up half-way, plus two inches… I’ve had two assignations since, but haven’t gone to the marquist, though I’ve saved up some for it.”
I sighed. I’d not dared go to Darien since Coronation night – it was… uneasy. Retrospectively, I’d put myself in an awkward situation. All in all, really, my plight was all my doing.
“I have a patron for the wedding, so that will help as well,” I thought aloud. “But I feel I have a long way to go.”
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 24, 2007 15:08:42 GMT -5
"Not so long as I had. You have a much smaller back." I told her with an irreverant grin, trying to cheer her up. "Are you looking forward to the wedding then?"
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 24, 2007 15:25:39 GMT -5
I chuckled. I was only a little shorter than he was, and rather tall for a D’Angeline woman – but his effort was well noted, and so I complimented him for it with a sincere smile.
“I am. My patron is rather lovely,” I said secretively, though it was merely out of discretion for Decimus, than anything else. “I trust he will treat me well. Besides, Caraf was of Heliotrope… We weren’t close, but I am glad for her nonetheless. Will you be going?”
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 24, 2007 15:31:07 GMT -5
I shook my head. "I never knew Caraf, and Mala wasn't invited, so I intend to spend the whole day with my beloved in bed." I replied with a grin. "And not that you need it, but best of luck with your lovely patron."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 24, 2007 16:04:23 GMT -5
I nodded. How the guest list had been computed was beyond me. “That sounds lovely,” I replied sweetly. “I guess I’ll simply have to steal you for a dance at the next fete, then,” I added teasingly. “That is, if Mala doesn’t mind you dancing with a friend…”
I grinned. I assumed she didn’t – really, how could one be jealous of me, when Christophe and I had something that was platonic solidarity?
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 25, 2007 0:52:09 GMT -5
"Of course she won't." I replied, secretly hoping I wasn't lying. Our relationship still needed a little figuring out... "I'll be sure to come find you, at the next opportunity." I promised with an honest smile.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 25, 2007 3:15:18 GMT -5
“I’ll keep your word on it,” I replied with a wide grin. I thought a moment, remembering the beginning of Coronation night. “She’s really pretty, your fiancée… I remember her… and words we exchanged… I have a vague memory of a firey and willful spirit, though she visibly wanted you as badly as you wanted her. That was my impression anyways.” I took a drink, and settling it down, I added, “Tension and chemistry, thick as fog on a waning harbor,” I offered with a smile. “I’ve no doubt you’ll be happy together.”
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 25, 2007 15:28:53 GMT -5
"If that was your impression, then you are quite astute." I replied with a smile. That night had gone so well... The morning after was even better. Before, of course, I shot it all to hell. "Firey and willful is how I like them." I told Geraldine with a wink and a grin.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 25, 2007 17:54:02 GMT -5
“Oh, Christophe, a blind man would have seen it,” I said gently. “But thank you for your compliment,” I added, smiling still.
I paused, and slapped myself in the forehead – figuratively, that is. “Oh, I forgot – there is one piece of news I have to share!” I shook my head, and chuckled at myself. “How could I forget, I have no idea. Are you curious to hear it?”
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2007 0:38:57 GMT -5
"Of course." I replied with a smile. Her enthusiasm was catching.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 26, 2007 3:48:01 GMT -5
“Well…” I paused, smiling. “For the first time in twelve years, I’ve had news of my father,” I told Christophe. It was occurring to me, that he had no knowledge of my history, nor I of his. Well.. I had nothing to hide, and so I would tell him of it, if he cared, and listen to his, if he wanted to share.
“I’m rather excited. I didn’t even know if he was alive!” I said with a smile that held some caution. I was happy, but I was also worried. I had no idea what the future held.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2007 10:17:42 GMT -5
"That's wonderful news," I said with a smile. There was hesitation in her, but I didn't respond to it immediately. I had a feeling she needed encouragement and support right now, not for someone to feed her doubts.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 26, 2007 10:57:27 GMT -5
“I guess it is,” I replied. “Though… they aren’t incredibly large news,” I said. “I only know that he was alive, until nine years ago, that is… three years after I was given to Heliotrope. I know by then, he was captain of his ship, that the ship was still the same.”
I paused, thinking, “Whether he is alive or not now… that is still a mystery.”
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2007 21:25:21 GMT -5
"Ah." Was all I could say for a moment. "Perhaps I spoke to soon then. I apologize. Will you pursue it?"
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 27, 2007 5:30:22 GMT -5
“I guess I will,” I replied quietly. “If he is still alive, and I can talk to him, there will be some questions to be asked. But seeing as he was a sailor, well… now, a captain, I don’t suppose I’ll be able to do much, until I get to leave the city.”
And I was back to my unfinished marque. It seemed to be key to a great deal of developments in my life.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 27, 2007 11:49:43 GMT -5
"You'll get there Geraldine. You're much too lovely and caring not to." I told her with a smile, finishing my orange juice.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 27, 2007 11:53:06 GMT -5
I smiled thankfully. "You know, that's one of the nicest things I've been told in a while, Christophe. Thank you," I said as I picked at the orange garnish on my plate.
He was really an adorable man - gods, I hoped it would work out for him.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 27, 2007 11:57:39 GMT -5
"You're more than welcome." I said with a smile. The owner came over, and we settled the bill. "About ready to head up Mont Nuit?" I asked Geraldine. "Or do you have other business to attend to first?"
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 27, 2007 14:39:52 GMT -5
We were ready to leave, and so I prepared myself to stand, ready to do so when he would.
"In fact I do need to return to Heliotrope," I replied with a smile. "I have thing to tend, for the wedding. Are you going to Mala's, or Valerian?"
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 27, 2007 19:37:45 GMT -5
"Valerian. They have my money, some of which is now the jeweler's money." I told her with a smile, patting my pocket as I stood. I went and held the door for her, nodding farewell to the owner of the establishment.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 28, 2007 4:54:05 GMT -5
Nodding a pleasant thanks to Christophe. I chuckled as we exited the café, and didn’t resist the urge to tease. “You know, you sound like a Bryony, all of the sudden,” I said on a light tone.
Hmm… Bryony. What a strange house they were. I’d rarely encountered their adepts – but they always struck me as very calculating. That wasn’t Christophe at all, I didn’t think so, anyway.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 28, 2007 11:17:26 GMT -5
I clutched at my heart and dramatically staggered, falling against the doorframe. “Oh, how her words wounds,” I declaimed. Righting myself I grinned at her, letting the door close behind me and beginning down the street.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 28, 2007 11:23:27 GMT -5
“Oh, poor little Christophe,” I teased as we started on our way home, “Shall we make a stop at Balm, or maybe at Heliotrope, to heal your wounds?”
I tried to keep my face the mask of compassion, but the corners of my mouth were already creeping up – I was very tempted to laugh, and gave in to at least a grin.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 28, 2007 12:44:51 GMT -5
"And then she tries to bring me home. Your ways will not work. The promise of my beloved protects me." I declared dramatically. I could see the grin creep over her features, and I was glad I was able to lighten the mood after the not so inspiring news of her father.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 28, 2007 14:07:18 GMT -5
“Hey, I offered Balm as well,” I protested, and then burst out laughing. “I would never dare interfere with your plans, Christophe,” I added with a wide grin. “You have more complications than I do, and that’s no small feat. No, let me be the outside friend, uninvolved, who will listen to you when you need it. That role suits me just fine,” I said sincerely, though I was still laughing through my words.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Sept 28, 2007 15:23:57 GMT -5
"And that sounds just perfect to me." I replied, grinning at her laughter. "I'll have someone to explain the mysteries of women." I teased.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Sept 28, 2007 16:54:38 GMT -5
“Oh, the mysteries of women…” I said, taking the affected pause of a moonstruck poet. “I don’t know about that, but I’ll lend you my ears,” I said gently, though I was still full of mirth. “And maybe you can explain men to me in exchange.”
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