A Walk in the Gardens: The lay of the land

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I had only been in the city for a fort night, arranging my town house and having it aired out. My aunt had secured a good portion of my future funds in order to situate myself comfortably.

But, I was bored.

Of course I was. How could I not be? What was I to do here? I mean, I understood exactly what I was to do here. Make myself known as the heir to the Marquise d'Maurier. But what would I do here. I was used to the small country faire life of living. The border village our only outlet for entertainment.

I was needing to clear my head and I had heard that the palace gardens were the finest of the city, open to all. Surely this was best as, my aunt would be pleased at my closeness to court itself. It was after all what she had send me for.

Wanding the paths of the lush green grass I stared up at the sky, intermitantly pndering the clouds.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Life had been full of twists and surprises for me lately, making me lose out on sleep more and more until they had recently fell into place. Now I felt peace unless I thought of Gillermo, a quiet happiness that had eluded me since I first arrived at the City. I missed my gardens at the estate, and wanted to revisit more. My own were still a few weeks from blooming.

Thus it was that I found myself in the Palace gardens, thinking that later I might see if August had any free time. For now I moved, fingers trailing against the purple and yellow flowers that lined my path when a familiar face caught my eye, though one I hadn't seen in quite some time. "Damien?" I ventured, my voice soft for the garden, but a smile on my face.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I turned looking toward the face that had said my name.

"Yes?" I said cautiously. I didn't know any one in the City and I hadn't made any friends yet. A yellow haird young woman stood before me. I narrowed my eyes softly looking over her beauty.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

A complete lack of recognition in his eyes made me laugh - if it hadn't been for the fact that he answered the call of his name, I would have doubted myself. "My, you've grown," I teased lightly, even though I thought I remembered he was older than I.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I clapsed my hands behind my back and gave a wry grin.
"Do I...Know you?" My smile was playful and kind, still curious at the woman before me.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I'd ceased moving a few moments ago and stood now several paces away from him. My smile softened a little. "I should think so," I said. "Mirielle Bellamont."

He didn't remember me, and I was a little upset by it, but it was no harm nor foul. Likely the only real reason I remembered him as I did was the fact that I had so little family, and none close. Damien was one of the few distant cousins I'd met in all my life. It was a long time ago, though. A long time.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I froze for a moment, a sly smile crawling across my lips. I looked over her turning to her fully.

"Impossible," I said coming toward her, I looked at her face then reached out and pinched at her waist playully.
"The Mirielle I know is a gangly little twelve year old." I teased giving her another wry grin.
"Impossible." I reached back again and piched her playfully the stomach, hopfully tickling her.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

The first pinch caught me off guard and I jumped, though I couldn't help but grin through it at the look that had crossed his face. "Oh, so you do remember me," I teased back, then made a squeaking sound as his fingers connected with my stomach. "Oh, no, you haven't changed," I said grinning, then tilted my head, just out of distance from his tickling fingers. "Though you do seem to have grown into your head more..."

My grin grew more, eyes twinkling in pure amsuement.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I opened my mouth in mocking dismay.
"Wench." I teased taking a few steps forward and tickled her once more. "You haven't change either, still ugly as ever." My expression changed to express my the humour at my own jest. I leaned back placing my hands at my belt.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Not as gangly, though, I hope," I said, laughing as he leaned back again. "Is that all, then? Not a single hug for your poor gangly ugly cousin?"

My grin grew a little more, and I held my arms out in an offering embrace.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I came toward her fully embracing her, my arms wrapping tight around her and holding her to me.
"No, not as gangly." I leaned in kissing her playfully on her neck just where it met her ear giving her a sloppy kiss, saliva coating the portion where my lips met skin. The sort I would always tease her with when we were youth.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

The hug was warmer than I'd expected, though thoughts of it fled my head as soon as he bent and kissed my upper neck. "Damien!" I exclaimed in a gasp, a look of disgust covering my face even as I grinned, playfully swatting his chest. "And still a scoundrel, too," I teased, wrinkling my nose at him.

"How've you been all these years?" I asked, pulling back some. "It's been.. Gods, at least a dozen, hasn't it?"

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I chuckled softly as she swatted at me. Releasing her I turned to the side and offered my arm to her.
"At least that." I smiled remembering our time together.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I smiled and took his arm, ready to stroll through the gardens. "And we manage to meet again at the Palace," I finished. "How've you been?"

[Damien Hughes (D)]

"Well." I said looking to her as we began to walk at a slowed pace. "And you? How long have you been here?"

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Not very long in the grand scheme," I said, looking at him with a smile. "A few months, perhaps. The estate grew too lonely for me."

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I nodded.
"You look new." I said absently, the sudden though springing to mind and out of my mouth before I knew it.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I chuckled softly. "And how is that?" I asked, curious.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

"I'm unsure." I said smiling. "It was just a thought." I chuckled and looked away looking at my feet as we walked.
"What brought you to the palace?" I asked looking back at her.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I smiled a little more, looking away as he did, watching the flowers as we walked past them. "I wanted to be somewhere peaceful," I answered. "Events have been a little overwhelming since I came to the City. I thought about stopping in to see August, too," I added, glancing back at him.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

"Overwhelming? How so?" I asked furrowing my brow at her.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I blushed, ducking my face away again, my hair falling down over my shoulder. "Just a few things, though they seemed to have resolved themselves nicely." My cheeks still pink, I glanced back. "What of you? Is there anything in particular that brings you back?"

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I looked away from her, her cheeks blushing the colour of new born love. She was here to see August? I put it together and made a sound of understanding before nodding. I gave her a raised brow as though she had told me all her secrets then smiled.
"I wanted to stretch my legs in some where larger then just my patch of grass."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I blushed again, fiercer this time, at the knowing look that crossed his face. What was he thinking? Damien always was good at keeping secrets and figuring out puzzles.

"I don't blame you," I said, letting the conversation flow and not forcing it back. "Are you staying in the City for very long?"

[Damien Hughes (D)]

"I am," I replied. "My aunt has made me heir. I'm to inherit 8,000 a year and the title of Marquise d'Maurier." I explained.
"She wishes me to become exposed to court life."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Oh," I said, giving a genuine smile at him. "Congratulations! How does court life suit you thus far?"

[Damien Hughes (D)]

"It suits." I said. "Reminds me of all those fêtes at Trevalion Estate." I added. "Truthfully I'd rather be on a ship, or drinking at the local tavern. Or Elua forbid horse back riding." I smiled playfully at her.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I smiled, remembering times past. "Those were fun times, though, weren't they?" I asked. The last time I'd seen him I was old enough to enjoy the fine arts of dancing, but the political incentives were less. Returning his playful smile with one of my own, I pulled my hair back over my shoulders and enjoyed the warm sun. "I'm glad you're in the City for a while, though. How has your Aunt been?"

[Damien Hughes (D)]

"She is well as always." I said softly. "Despite the fact that she tires and passes her title, I believe she will out live us all." I chuckled.
"How is August? Agreeable I pressume?"

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"I'm sure she will," I said, blushing a little more as he asked about August. It wasn't the mention of his name, but the way he asked... I wondered if he'd discerned, not that it mattered. "He's wonderful," I said, smiling at Damien warmly. "He's staying in the Palace as I'm sure you know, though I wasn't sure if he was busy today or not when I came here."