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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 18:33:06 GMT -5
At promptly three o'clock, Alain's carriage, bearing he and I, stopped in front of the Lord and Lady Inn. "We're here," I said, smiling even though inside my guts were churning.
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Post by Justin de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 19:15:57 GMT -5
I had walked to the Lord and Lady Inn having needed the chance to compose myself and calm myself. I didn't want to blow up at the Duc and I was doing this for Avive, because she asked me to.
Having already arrived, I was sitting quietly on a discreet bench far away from the carriage and pating the letter in my breast pocket. I would give it to her now as it seemed I would have no other choice.
I didn't want to run up to them and decided to let them both exit the carriage before walking over to them.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 22:46:58 GMT -5
“So it seems,” I said. Smiling, I leaned over and kissed her forehead before stepping out of the carriage and offering her my hand.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 22:48:56 GMT -5
I let the warmth from his kiss fill me with hope and I accepted his hand, stepping down from the carriage. "Thank you." Looking about, I saw Justin waiting on a bench on the street a few feet away, but resisted making any sudden moves.
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Post by Justin de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 22:56:38 GMT -5
I rose seeing that Avive saw me and waved a little. I glanced to Alain but screwed my thoughts and headed over. Pulling out the letter I smiled to Avive and bowed to her reaching out and holding out the letter for her. It read;
Dearest Avive;
I was going to send this to you yesterday, but I didn't know if you would recieve the letter or not.
I surely hope that I will get the chance to tell my side of the story, and I will, when your cousin gives us his blessing.
I've missed you so.
Always, Justin
"Its good to see you Avive." I couldn't help but smiling as I saw her. Coming to stand beside her I looked to the Duc and bowed.
"Duc de Mauvais."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 23:01:27 GMT -5
I curtsied to Justin. "Likewise," I replied. Accepting the letter, I folded it and placed it in a discreet pocket in the skirt of my gown. "Thank you," I said, "I will be sure to read it later." With that I paused, waiting for Alain to speak.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 23:10:39 GMT -5
“Messier Rocaille,” I said, inclining my head to him. I offered Avive my arm. “Shall we?”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 23:12:53 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said, accepting Alain's arm. I didn't want Justin to think I was snubbing him, but if I wanted this to work, it was more important to show Alain the utmost respect. Besides, I didn't mind being on his arm at all.
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Post by Justin de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 23:15:28 GMT -5
I had to bit my inner cheek to keep from protesting. But I kept reminding myself; For Avive, for Avive. You're doing this for Avive. I inclined my head to them and gestured for them to go first.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 23:23:00 GMT -5
Nodding again, I led Avive inside.
We were shown to a nice table by a window. I started to hold Avive’s chair for her, but stopped. Instead, I stepped back and made a gesture for Justin to do so if he wished.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 23:26:44 GMT -5
When I saw what Alain was doing, I felt a surge of hope. If he was letting Justin take over one thing he would normally do, it had to be a good sign.
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Post by Justin de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 23:27:51 GMT -5
Oh Elua, was he being nice to me? I gave a happy smile though tried to not grin like an idiot. I pulled out the chair for Avive a smile on my face as I helped her into her chair then sat on the other side of her, not wanting to push my luck with the Duc.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 23:30:10 GMT -5
Sitting in the chair, I too tried not to smile too widely. Sitting up straight, I waited for Alain to sit; I would take my next cue from him.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 23:31:28 GMT -5
Taking the chair on Avive’s other side, I settled in.
The server hovered close by. “What would everyone like to drink?”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 23:33:25 GMT -5
"White wine for me, please," I said, "something sweetish."
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Post by Justin de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 23:40:59 GMT -5
"Water for myself." I said taking the menu they offered. I smiled at Avive again, unable to think about anything other then being in her pressence.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 23:44:10 GMT -5
I returned Justin's sweet smile with a reassuring one, but made no move to touch him or squeeze his hand. I would not risk incurring Alain's ire with even the slightest offense.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 23:48:12 GMT -5
“Two waters and a white wine,” I told the server. “Something sweetish,” I added, giving Avive a teasing grin.
The server headed off and left us alone.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 23:50:50 GMT -5
We were left alone in silence, and in my head, I willed one of them to say something. Still, exchanging pleasantries might help to ease the tension and so I turned to Alain. "I went down to the City Academy to enroll in some summer courses," I told him.
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Post by Justin de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 23:53:42 GMT -5
I didn't know what to say so I kept silent, smiling though when Avive spoke of her classes. I glanced to Alain and then back to Avive waiting for her to say more.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 23:59:16 GMT -5
“Excellent!” I said, smiling proudly. “I’m glad you are attending the Academy.”
I looked at Justin. “Are you taking classes?”
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Post by Justin de Rocaille on Jun 14, 2008 0:05:37 GMT -5
"I haven't signed up for any yet," I said glancing to Avive then back to the Duc. "But Avive's taking an Anatomy class that I'm very interested in." I glanced back to Avive and smiled. "My father wants me to go to Tiberium for a semester but I'm eager to stay here with Avive."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 14, 2008 0:08:44 GMT -5
I tried not to let my expression change at the mention of Tiberium, but it was a blow that his father wanted to send him away so soon, especially during the time we would be planning our wedding. "Justin has said that he wants to spend at least the summer here," I said carefully, "that we may spend it getting to know each other better."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 14, 2008 0:11:25 GMT -5
We’ll see, I thought.
“That sounds like a smart course to take,” I said.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 14, 2008 0:17:55 GMT -5
"It seemed to me so, too," I said agreeably. Segueing back into the original topic, I said, "I'm taking two other courses also. I'll be sure to...tell you all about what I have been learning." I knew Alain was going away for the summer, but didn't know if he wanted Justin to know, so I left the statement ambiguous.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 14, 2008 0:37:38 GMT -5
I had meant the course of taking time. I must need to learn to express myself better with Avive.
The server arrived with our drinks and then hovered to see if we wanted anything else.
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Post by Justin de Rocaille on Jun 14, 2008 0:44:09 GMT -5
I took a sip of my water and looked to Avive then to Alain. "Yes, both Avive and I agreed that we would take our time in our courtship. Make sure that the relationship was suitable." I ignored Avive jump back to lessons and decided that I would move on from there.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 14, 2008 0:50:46 GMT -5
I'd been about to ask if we should order, but Justin's broaching of the topic of our courtship made me eat my words as I waited for Alain's reaction.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 14, 2008 11:48:18 GMT -5
I looked at the server who then withdrew, leaving us alone as much as one could be in a public place. I then turned my gaze back to Justin.
“If there is to be a courtship, then yes, taking your time is a good idea,” I said, plainly broaching the subject of why we here. I had no urge for games. He would either prove he was worthy of pursuing her hand or not, it was better to just get on with it.
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Post by Justin de Rocaille on Jun 14, 2008 15:17:37 GMT -5
Well the subject was been brought up and better to get things over with now. I took a breath and leaned forward. "Look, I know you don't like me. But Avive does, and we think our union will be more then amible. I know we started out on the wrong foot and I appologize. But I do think it's unfair to keep us apart just because you want to." I tried to keep my calmness in tact but it was hard. I was trying and bitting my tongue on many things. I leaned back a little.
"But I hope you take in condsideration the fact I've come here to have you possibly throw me under the carriage, and I've done it for Avive. Because she wants me to and I will for her. If I was simply in this to hurt Avive do you think I'd put myself through your crippling gaze and threats of keeping us apart?"
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