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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 27, 2006 18:35:35 GMT -5
I fair dashed into the house, hoping Alain was back from his ride. I needed badly to talk to him about my encounters with both Shahrizais today.
"Alain! Alain!"
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 27, 2006 20:30:55 GMT -5
I sighed as I heard my name echoing through the house. I was going to have to point out to Avive that one need not yell like a street vendor every time they wanted someone's attention.
Walking out of my room and to the top of the stairs, I calmly said, "I'm up here Avive." I had gotten out of he bath not long ago and had been in the process of dressing. At least I had my pants on since it sounded as if she might burst if she'd had to wait for me.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 27, 2006 20:35:51 GMT -5
I slowed as I headed up the stairs to where he stood. Looking at him, I could see why women were so taken by him, he was very well-shaped.
Unsure of which encounter to bring up first, I decided to begin at the beginning. "Cousin," I asked, "Are the Shahrizai-Courcels dangerous, too?"
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 27, 2006 20:41:25 GMT -5
"Well, isn't that a loaded question to begin a conversation with?" I commented. "Come, tell what happened while I finish dressing."
I turned and went back into my room.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 27, 2006 20:46:04 GMT -5
I followed him into his chamber, and stood awkwardly for a moment, wondering whether or not I should sit. After a moment, I perched on the edge of a chair not too far from the door.
"Perhaps it is loaded," I chuckled, "but I hope the answer is no. I met Princess Phreya in the market while shopping for fabrics, and she invited us to tea at her home."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 27, 2006 20:53:02 GMT -5
"Really? What did you think of her?" I asked, as I went to my dresser to look for a shirt.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 27, 2006 21:00:57 GMT -5
"She's quiet," I said, "but sweet. Very pleasent company. We did not speak for too long, but she helped me pick out some things for the library." I frowned. "She looks like a Shahrizai though, with that black hair and blue eyes." Like Dominic.
I wondered how to safely bring up my encounter with him without upsetting Alain. I figured I'd wait for a segway.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 27, 2006 21:48:36 GMT -5
I pulled on a wheat colored shirt and turned to face Avive.
"It sounds as if you had a nice encounter with her," I commented.
I found my boots and sat in a chair next to Avive's to put them on.
"Now tell me what else happened, for you wouldn't have come running in like you did if that was all that had happened."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 28, 2006 10:45:22 GMT -5
I wondered how to phrase the rest of the story. It wasn't as though I had done anything wrong, but I wouldn't know for sure until I told Alain the story.
"I went to Mirsada Anezka's shop to look for some things, and Dominic Shahrizai came in. He put his hands on my waist -" I demonstrated "- here. But Robert made him release me."
A note of panic went into my voice and the entire story spilled out. "I didn't know what to do, he hadn't yet gotten my letter, so I told him, well, Robert told him, that you were going to deliver it, and then I told him that I was sorry but we could not have lunch tomorrow, and then he asked for another time, and then I said I didn't think so, and then he kissed my wrist and before Robert could do anything, he had gone."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 28, 2006 11:52:33 GMT -5
Dressing finished, I had been picking up my glass of wine when she told me the rest of her story. The urge to hurl the glass across the room was so great that my hand shook and I returned the glass to the table before I gave in to the urge.
I drew in a deep breath, trying very hard not to loose my temper as I had before and scare her.
"Alright," I said, my voice tight but level. "Thank you for telling me."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 28, 2006 12:09:08 GMT -5
He was trying to control himself for my sake; every muscle in his body was taut with rage. Even his voice was thin. I didn't know what else to say, so I just sat there, looking down at my clasped hands. I did want to know how his ride went, and I wanted to tell him about how well the library was going, but it was not the time to ask.
His glass of wine stood abandoned on the table. Knowing of the soothing properties of a bit of spirit, I rose and quietly went to the table, picking up the glass and offering it up to him. "Have some," I said quietly, "it will calm you." I did not want him, in his anger, to do something to get him, or Dominic, killed.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 28, 2006 17:43:16 GMT -5
"No, it won't," I answered, my jaw clenched so tight it was probable that my teeth could shatter at any moment. "There is not enough wine in the entire City to calm me Avive."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 28, 2006 18:02:31 GMT -5
I exhaled slowly, then set the glass down again. He was so riled up that one of us needed to stay calm, even though I was sure than any moment I would crack too. Alain was upset, but why? Robert had been there to protect me. I had told Dominic that we could not have lunch. I wasn't hurt. But I feared to ask.
"Alain...Elua, Alain..." My words formed a plea. "What will you do?"
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 28, 2006 18:09:43 GMT -5
I stood up and moved past her, going to my armoire.
"I will take care of it, Avive, I will take care of it," I told her as I slipped into a leather long vest. "You will have to dine by yourself tonight, I doubt I will be home before you are asleep."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 28, 2006 18:17:53 GMT -5
"Then I will see you in the morning," I said, my voice cracking with tears. "I will keep working on the library." Please, Elua, don't let them be hurt.
I walked to where he was putting on a vest, and touched his shoulder. "Good night," I said quietly, although the words were said with a certain irony. Both of us knew the night would be far from good.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 28, 2006 18:20:44 GMT -5
"Good night Avive," I replied, ignoring her hand as I reached for my sword belt and buckled it into place.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 28, 2006 18:25:35 GMT -5
After a moment, I slipped out of the room, and into my own, fear making my heart pound in my chest. Settling at my desk, I put on my spectacles and cracked open A History of House Shahrizai, looking for anything that might help save their lives.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Oct 28, 2006 18:30:25 GMT -5
Sword in place, and knife slipped into my boot, I headed downstairs. I told Bonne that I would be gone till late and to keep an eye on Avive, so that she didn't get lonely.
Outside again, I talked to Robert, to reassure him that'd he'd done right and get the specifics on the Shahrizai. Belleza was too worn from our ride, so I took one of the other mounts and headed off.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Oct 28, 2006 18:37:58 GMT -5
Hearing hoofbeats outside the window, I knew Alain had gone, and a single tear fell onto the page I was reading. I did not know if I had done the right thing, but I had obeyed. I had obeyed.
After a few minutes, there was a knock on the door. "My lady?" said Bonne. "Dinner is nearly ready. Shall we play a hand of cards when you are finished?"
I went to the door and opened it to face her. "Thank you Bonnie," I said. "I'm not one for cards but -" another tear rolled down my cheek "- will you read to me?"
"Yes, child," she said, embracing me. "Everything is going to be fine. You did right to tell him. Everything is going to be all right."
Taking my hand like a child's, we went to supper together.
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