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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 8, 2006 17:13:22 GMT -5
Distraught as I was about my encounter with Dominic, I threw myself into the library with unbounded fervor when we returned home. Setting Robert and Damien to work putting the books back on the shelves, I shoved the chairs out of the room and rolled up the old rug. Moving the ragged red thing out of the way, I unfurled the new green one in its place. Mirsada had been right, it was perfect.
Moving the chairs back, I heaved the bolts of fabric into the room. Calling for Bonne, I had her begin to reupholster the chairs, replacing the old brown fabric with the new reds.
The chess table was waiting in the foyer. "Robert," I called, "place these things by the window, and hang up these curtains." Obediently, he did, stopping to pat my shoulder. It made me glad to know that he was sensitive to my pain.
At around six, the library was perfect, except for the missing side tables. Dashing into the sitting room, I found two lying around unused. Happily, I brought them into the library, setting a candlestick on top of each one.
I turned to look at it a last time. The books in their shelves lined the walls. The red chairs went beautifully with the curtains and new rug. The chess table stood pleasently by the window, and a decanter of brandy rested on a table on the right side of the room. It was a beautiful room, and we all had worked to make it lovely. "Good job, everyone," I said happily.
Slyly tiptoeing to Alain's office, I knocked on the door quietly. I hoped he wasn't too busy, I wanted him to come see.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 9, 2006 23:32:16 GMT -5
"Come in," I called at the tap on my door. It had to be Avive, she was the only one around here that quiet. I closed the book I had been reading and set it down on my desk.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 9, 2006 23:35:15 GMT -5
I entered the office, a sly grin on my face. "Good evening, cousin," I said. "I see you are reading! Perhaps you would like to read -" and here my face split into a wide grin "- in the library?"
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 9, 2006 23:38:04 GMT -5
By the look on her face, the library was finished. Still, I couldn't help teasing her.
"No, it's too dusty and dreary in there. I think I'll stay in here," I said, grinning.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 9, 2006 23:43:48 GMT -5
My jaw dropped. "It is not!" I protested. "Stay if you must, but you'll regret it..." I pouted at him, but my pout soon gave way to an ear-to-ear smile. I loved to laugh and joke with Alain, it was like having a brother.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 9, 2006 23:45:48 GMT -5
"It's not?" I asked. "Have you been making progress?"
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 9, 2006 23:50:33 GMT -5
"No, not really," I said. "Everything is a mess and the chairs have not been reupholstered and the curtains not hung and the books not put away and the rugs not laid out and not a single piece of furniture is in its proper place. Forget it, I suppose you shouldn't come in after all." Jestingly, I turned to leave the office.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 9, 2006 23:51:59 GMT -5
"Alright," I said, grinning as I opened my book again. "Let me know when you're done."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 9, 2006 23:56:21 GMT -5
"But..." Finally, I gave in. "It's finished! I finished the whole thing. Well, everyone helped. But it's done! Now will you come see?" I put my sweetest look on my face. "Please?"
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 9, 2006 23:58:54 GMT -5
"Of course," I told her, laughing. I stood and went to where she was. "Lead the way."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 10, 2006 0:00:24 GMT -5
Taking his hand, I instructed, "Close your eyes."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 10, 2006 0:54:41 GMT -5
With an indulgent chuckle, I closed my eyes obediently.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 10, 2006 19:41:56 GMT -5
Leading him out of his office and down the hall, I placed him in the doorway of the library. Letting go of his hand and standing to the side, I said, "All right. You may open them."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 11, 2006 0:53:00 GMT -5
"Oh Avive, it's perfect," I said when I'd opened my eyes. "You did a wonderful job!"
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 11, 2006 13:24:40 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said happily. "Everyone helped."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 11, 2006 13:46:36 GMT -5
Looking away from the redecorated room, I smiled at Avive. "Thank you, it really does look great," I told her, then pulled her to me and hugged her.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 11, 2006 14:02:50 GMT -5
I was surprised at first, but then so pleased and happy. I wrapped my arms around his torso and squeezed. "I love you, cousin," I told him.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 11, 2006 16:08:20 GMT -5
"I love you too, Avive," I said, hugging her tighter and then releasing her so I could wander around the library. I was drawn to the chess table by the window.
"This is exquisite," I commented, examining it. "Where did you find it?"
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 11, 2006 17:58:52 GMT -5
"Mirsada Anezka's shop," I said. "I don't know why, but I thought you might like it. It will last you forever."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 12, 2006 1:01:52 GMT -5
"You did a great job with everything Avive, thank you," I said, looking up at her and smiling.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 12, 2006 13:49:10 GMT -5
I was so happy, the library was done, Alain was in a good mood, everything was perfect. The only storm cloud hanging above my head was my lunch with Dominic. No, I thought, if Alain wants to know about it, he will ask. No use ruining this perfect time together.
Bonne, who had returned to the kitchen, came in. "Dinner is ready," she said.
"Shall we go in, and perhaps spend some time in here later?" I asked.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 12, 2006 15:54:17 GMT -5
"That sounds like a great way to spend the evening," I told her, grinning and offering her my arm in a grandiose manner.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 12, 2006 17:03:49 GMT -5
With an equally exaggerated motion, I curtseyed deeply and took his arm. "Oh, my Lord de Mauvais! How kind of you!"
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 12, 2006 22:12:18 GMT -5
"Only my very best manners for someone as lovely as yourself, my dearest Lady de Mauvais," I replied, grinning charmingly and leading her to the dining room.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 12, 2006 22:34:23 GMT -5
Taking my seat, I delicately shook out my napkin and laid it in my lap. "How was your day?" I asked him. "I hope you didn't work too hard."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 12, 2006 23:04:19 GMT -5
"Research mostly," I told her as I took my seat. "I am looking into purchasing some horses from Aragonia and I have researching bloodlines."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 12, 2006 23:06:21 GMT -5
"That sounds fascinating," I said. "What kind of horse is best, or have you yet to find out?"
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 12, 2006 23:15:18 GMT -5
"It depends on what you are looking for," I said, smiling to Bonne as she brought us each a bowl of soup. "Speed, endurance, strength - they all show up differently in different lines. Aragonian horses are known for their endurance. I want to purchase five studs and a dozen mares for different purposes. One of the studs I want to breed with Belleza, the others and the mares will go to the estate and their lines will be mixed in with those I have already started there. Hopefully, I can produce workhorses with more endurance as well as a line of saddle horses with speed and endurance."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Nov 12, 2006 23:18:02 GMT -5
"That's so interesting," I said enthusiastically. "Will you sell the horses or keep them, once they are bred?"
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Nov 12, 2006 23:24:27 GMT -5
"I'll keep them," I told her after having a spoonful of soup. "I'll want to see how the foals grow and if they are breeding true to what I am looking for. Also, I may buy horses like I am starting a collection, but I never have the heart to part with them."
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