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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 25, 2008 14:05:57 GMT -5
I hadn't thought about it really, my only thoughts when I had recieved word from Nicole was to come as quickly as possible. Nicole. I swallowed and stared at Lillianne for a moment.
She's sixteen, you can't leave her here by herself.
"No honey," I said softly. "I will not be returning." I shifted and moved from the bed standing and moving to the door. A maid sat in a chair outside drowsing when I woke her and asked for food before I returned to the room. I undid the buttons of my doublet and shrugged it off so that I was just wearing the light shirt and I sighed a little running my hand through my hear.
"Do you want me to call for a bath, or would you like me to read to you?" I asked sitting in a chair by her bed.
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Jul 25, 2008 14:23:02 GMT -5
Gods, just in case I didn't feel bad enough, guilt hit me as he answered my question. I was a burden now, too young to be left on my own. My uncle was going to have to give up his much-loved independence.
By the time he came back, I had found my badger again and had wrapped my arms around it once more. "You don't have to stay," I said, ignoring his question as my grief made me blunt. "Not after the... funeral I mean. You don't like it here."
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 25, 2008 15:10:52 GMT -5
I sighed. Oh, don't do this to me. I moved from the chair and came to sit in the bed, my back against the head board. "No, I don't like it here." I said softly. "But I'm not leaving you, period." I looked to her. "Maybe you can change my mind on the City." I said with a soft smile reaching over and touching her chin with my fingers.
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Jul 26, 2008 13:05:45 GMT -5
We both sat there, propped against the headboard. I'm sure it would have made a very pretty painting, if only I didn't look like I had just survived the plague. When his fingers touched my chin I met his eyes, and I couldn't help the relief when I saw he wouldn't leave me. A tear I didn't know was waiting slipped down my cheek.
"Maybe. I'm glad you are here," I whispered raggedly, still clutching Blaireau, my badger.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 26, 2008 13:47:47 GMT -5
I sighed softly and wrapped my arm around her shoulder before pulling her tight to my chest. "I'm glad I'm here too." I whispered, kissing the top of her head.
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Jul 26, 2008 13:55:33 GMT -5
I put my head against his chest, soaking up the comfort of human contact. After a moment, something occurred to me. "Why are you here? Surely... surely news didn't travel that quickly."
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 26, 2008 14:18:13 GMT -5
"Your mother," I said softly not wanting to bring it up but knowing I'd have to. "She...she must have known because she asked me to come...to help with you."
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Jul 27, 2008 18:00:57 GMT -5
She must have known. Oh gods...
I started crying again and hated it. Hated that the grief consumed me, made me feel like an absolute child as I sobbed in my uncle's arms. I wanted to demand answers that didn't exist, to scream at the gods. Instead I just cried, trying to be quiet.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 27, 2008 18:03:57 GMT -5
My throat tightened and I held her tighter to me as she began to cry again. I sighed a little wondering if I should have told her.
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Jul 29, 2008 16:34:59 GMT -5
I heard the door open and I stiffened, turning so I could see one of the maids depositing a tray on the small table on the other side of the room. Smells drifted through the room as she left, making me acutely aware of my hunger. I hadn't been eating much, grief taking my appetite much like the plague had. But it had been too long since I had eaten properly, and with Uncle Azriel here, it felt like part of my burden was lifted. I wasn't alone.
I sat up a little and clumsily wiped the tears from my face. A glance down at the linen of his shirt, and I saw the water marks. "I'm sorry."
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 29, 2008 17:04:56 GMT -5
I chuckled a little. "Don't worry, I never liked this shirt." I said touching her cheek gently, wiping a tear away. "You look like you're under weight, you should eat, keep up your strength if you're going to stain more of my shirts." I teased.
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Jul 30, 2008 0:50:44 GMT -5
"The cook was always trying to get me to eat more even before the... before the sickness." I had made myself continue. "But I haven't been hungry till now." I tried to smile.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 30, 2008 0:53:12 GMT -5
I touched her chin between my thumb and forefinger. "Come on," I said raising from the bed and moved to the tray taking up the bowl of broth that was there and brought it over to her. "Eat up honeysuckle."
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Jul 30, 2008 1:04:22 GMT -5
The name startled a laugh from me. "Honeysuckle?" I took the bowl nonetheless and started in on it. I was starving, for the food and affection.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 30, 2008 11:09:53 GMT -5
I chuckled and slapped my forehead. "Sorry," I said smiling as I sat in the chair by her bed. "My mother used to call me that when I was sick." I ran my hand through my hair.
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Jul 30, 2008 15:15:26 GMT -5
"Mama calls... called me Bunny, when I was little. I... I told her to stop a few years ago, told her I was getting too old." It was sad, but the whole world seemed sad right now. The memory by itself was a happy one, so I smiled just slightly, concentrating on the good times as I continued to drink the broth.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 30, 2008 15:29:27 GMT -5
I reached out and squeezed her leg just above her knee. "I'm so sorry Lilli." I said softly. "But you'll get through this, I promise. And I'll be here to help."
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Jul 31, 2008 13:13:50 GMT -5
“Thank you,” I whispered, looking at up him. “I don’t think… I don’t think I could do this alone.”
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 31, 2008 13:17:45 GMT -5
I nodded silently. "Eat up." I said softly. "You need to get your strength back."
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Jul 31, 2008 16:01:20 GMT -5
I nodded and obediently went back to the broth. Most of the way through the bowl I looked at him. "Actually, could you ask for a bath to be drawn?" I wanted to get out of that room, but I needed to feel human first. A bath would help.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 31, 2008 16:06:38 GMT -5
I nodded and stood moving to the door to catcha maid. I needed a bath too but I would of course let Lillianne go first. I explained this to the maid and she assured me they would make enough hot water for us both.
Returning to her side I smiled. "All set." I said sitting. "How are you feeling?"
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Jul 31, 2008 16:22:36 GMT -5
I finished the soup before he returned, the rumble of their voices outside the door comforting. Everyone had spoke in whispers for too long.
"Better, though I don't think I can eat any more. Definitely not anything solid." I replied, taking stock of my stomach. "Is it warm enough outside to go and sit in the garden?"
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 31, 2008 16:28:25 GMT -5
I took her bowl and replaced it onto the tray before returning to her. "It is," I said softly. "Are you feeling up to that?"
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Aug 1, 2008 23:03:13 GMT -5
"I need to get out of this room," I said softly. "But first I need to feel human." I stood slowly, Blaireau in my arms.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Aug 1, 2008 23:06:07 GMT -5
I nodded. "I should leave you then." I said softly. "I'm sure you'd like your privacy." I stood too placing my hand at her elbow to make sure she was steady before I leaned in and kissed the top of her head.
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Aug 2, 2008 13:37:54 GMT -5
"Maybe you can come and read to me? When I get outside I mean." I didn't want to admit it out loud, but I was willing to admit to myself that I didn't want to be alone for longer than it took to get clean.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Aug 3, 2008 17:35:55 GMT -5
I smiled and nodded in agreement. "Will you permit me to bathe first too?" I asked softly. "I'm afraid I am quite dirty from the journey."
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Aug 4, 2008 1:07:37 GMT -5
"Oh," I said, startled to look at my own selfishness. "Yes, of course. I'm sorry, I should have thought of that."
Come on Lilli, get a grip. You can be out of his sight for long enough for you both to get clean. I drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm sorry. Truly." There, that sounded steadier.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Aug 4, 2008 12:25:16 GMT -5
"Theres nothing to be sorry about Lilli," I said coming toward her and placing a hand on her shoulder. "You've been through enough, I don't expect you to think about me at a time like this." I gave a half smile. "Tell you what. I'll wait outside the door while you're bathing and if you need something you call and I'll get a maid for you. Then while you're dressing I'll bathe and you can wait outside my door while I dress." I was teasing, but I wouldn't care if thats what she needed to do. As much as she didn't want to be alone right now, neither did I.
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Lillianne Prévost
Aristocrat
Future Duchesse de Moulins; Ward of Azriel Shahrizai
Daughter of G?rard and Nicole Pr?vost
Posts: 1,148
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Post by Lillianne Prévost on Aug 4, 2008 14:12:20 GMT -5
His offer made me feel silly. "Now you're just teasing me," I replied, a smile fighting with my embarrassment until the smile won. My hand went to his where it rested on my shoulder, and I squeezed it lightly as I reminded myself that I was sixteen now and grown up. "It's alright, I'll see you in the garden." And with that I headed across the hall to the bath chamber.
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