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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 8:40:42 GMT -5
"By all means, please do. Azzalle is too lovely to miss out on." I teased him in return, keeping my voice light and easy through my mirth.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 9:17:44 GMT -5
A playful smile spread on my lips. I was tempted to be an ox, and to ask her to set a date, just to see her reaction. We'd met only instants ago, and it would be highly inappropriate for me to do so, and for her to say no. An amusing conundrum.
Rather, I laughed, and complimented her, letting her win this first battle. "Doubtless, Azzalle is only as remarkable as you are, Mylady."
Shifting my tone a little, I jested, "And what made you leave such enchanting lands, to come to this dreadful place, in such suspicious company?"
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 9:23:19 GMT -5
I laughed with his compliment, having wondered if he would press more or give up. Momentarily, I was sure, for Gillermo Stregazza didn't seem the type to give up easily.
"Perhaps it was the hint of danger," I said as I looked him in the eye, then grinned. "Or perhaps it was because I needed something more than my estates could supply me with. What of you?" I questioned, curiousity lacing my voice, "What brought you to Terre d'Ange? Another stop of your many travels?"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 9:35:14 GMT -5
I noted all the double entendre contained in her voice, and filed the information away in my mind. It would come in handy, eventually. Let her wait a little. Coming too strong, I'd learned, was like not coming on at all. A waste of ressources.
Nonchalantly, I replied, "All of those things, and more. It is, in a way, a homecoming. I should like to stay a while in the City of Elua, and reacquaint myself with Terre d'Ange." I paused a second, grinning.
"I'm afraid you will not be rid of me so fast," I added in mock regret.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 9:40:28 GMT -5
"Oh, how I shall mourne that fact," I jested lightly, smiling. "Well, since I am apparently your first encounter in the City, let me give you welcome, and hopes that all your experiances here are.." I paused for the briefest of seconds, thinking quick on my wording, "Pleasant."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 10:03:25 GMT -5
I inclined my head, and lifted my glass. "I'll drink to that. So far, I have no complaints," I replied.
"I wish you much danger then, since you have a taste for it," I added, looking at her from behind my glass, a leopard eying his prey, smiling at the gazelle on the savannah, and relishing her taste to come.
Eyes still on her, I took a sip.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 11:52:42 GMT -5
A small chill coursed up my spine at his preditory gaze, causing me to sit still a moment in my chair before leaning forward a touch. "Thank you," I said, my voice quiet. "And I wish you well in whatever it is you seek."
My gaze never faltered from his; he wanted to be preditory, so I made myself the prey.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 12:05:13 GMT -5
I set my glass down, my eyes still locked on her, very amused that my little jest had ticked her off.
A small grin escaped my composed face, and I chuckled. "Thank you, Milady. I think things will go rather smoothly, if the Gods smile on me."
The night had settled and the place was still quiet. Aside from ourselves, the Generous Patron was still somewhat empty. I wished for music. Dancing always puts the ladies at ease.
But it was not to be as such, so I just looked at her, and added soberly, "I only seek to please, and be merry."
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 12:12:03 GMT -5
"You're doing a fair job of pleasing thus far," I said in a softly, an open smile on my face. "As for being merry, well. You don't look too awfully upset to me."
My gaze never left his as he spoke, not challenging at all but simply watching.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 12:21:36 GMT -5
I grinned. Freshness. That would be the day, a smart, beautiful and fair player she was. I liked it. I liked that fact very much, indeed. In fact, I liked it enough to shed the mantle of aloofness just a moment.
"I thank you for telling me this, Mylady. I was starting to have doubts," I said earnestly.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 12:33:20 GMT -5
Mylady. Had he called me Mirielle at all yet? If so, I couldn't remember it; respect he was giving me, respect I gave him in return, and in circles we went around apparently a single matter. My smile gentled, and I gave him an honestly apologetic look.
"I'm sorry if you took me differently," I said. "Perhaps it is the difference in backgrounds that holds subtlities at bay." Perhaps, and perhaps I was simply being difficult to read. If that were the case, it wasn't on purpose. "Don't doubt though that you're coming off wrongly, for I'm finding that I do enjoy your company."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 12:41:29 GMT -5
The thought that she may like me was settling in, and a small hint of the joy of victory lit up my heart.
"Then, perhaps you would accept a dance?" I asked, alert and smiling. I knew she would think me crazy to ask her such, seeing as there was no music, but the place was ours, and doing such things is the stuff of exceptionnal moments.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 13:16:44 GMT -5
His question took me completely off-guard, and I couldn't help but stare at him as if he were looney before catching myself. With a grin I glanced around to find a source of music that might be convinced to be played, but, finding none, I turned my attention back to him. "Here?" I asked, my voice still a little surprised. "I suppose so... As long as you promise not to dance upon my feet."
My eyes twinkled for my jest and I stood, waiting ever so patiently for him to join me.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 13:26:37 GMT -5
I beamed at her jest, "Your feet are safe with me, it's a promise." When she rose, I rose with her, and, offering her my arm, I glanced at the deserted dance floor, and said, "Shall we?"
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 13:28:52 GMT -5
A light blush entered my cheeks as I accepted his arm; not for the fact of touching him, but because the other patrons were already glancing at us. Still, I lifted my chin with confidence, meeting his gaze boldly. "We shall," I said, smiling up at him.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 13:39:14 GMT -5
A bold woman she was, and I appreciated every bit of it. Head high, as we made for the dance floor, and I said under my breath, "Will a lovely, slow swaying number please you?"
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 13:43:22 GMT -5
"Verm much so," I said in a near whisper, walking by his side to the middle of the floor. I could hear questionable mumurs from the nearest patrons, though I ignored them as we stopped, concentrating instead on placing my hand upon the top of his shoulder, ready to seem foolish to the others standing around... And to have fun doing so.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 13:56:17 GMT -5
I placed my hand on her waist, Elua, the slimmest I'd seen since that Illyrian adept who had stolen all my coin, I reckoned.
Taking her hand, I counted softly the rythm of a well known number, one she'd very likely danced to at many fetes, at we started twirling softly.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 14:04:26 GMT -5
The marks he ticked off softly were well recognizable, and with a grin I set off as he did, following his lead with ease. My hand fit well inside his larger and I clasped my fingers about his more firmly, though keeping my touch and weight light in his hands.
A grin covered my mouth as I looked up at him, speaking softly as there was no music to hide my voice. "You move well," I complimented, shifting my hand a touch higher on his shoulder.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 14:11:30 GMT -5
"As do you," I replied with a grin. We had found our cruise speed, and I let us stay on it, not counting anymore, as we both set the rythm by memory.
I looked into her eyes. Cat's eyes, I thought. As we were gracefully moving, I noticed the ocean of judging murmurs had settling into an approving and reverent silence. I smiled, and kept her swirling, firmly keeping her to me.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 14:20:48 GMT -5
The firmness of his grip made me lose my breath a little, though I didn't balk and pull back; rather I stepped willingly beside him as we danced to a tune only we could hear, spinning ever so gently across the floor.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 14:26:21 GMT -5
"I know it's a cliche, and I don't care that it is, it is nevertheless the truth, you have the most interesting and beautiful eyes, Milady Mirielle Bellamont," I whispered as we spun our song.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 14:38:41 GMT -5
Immediatly I was aware of my eyes, as I was at any time when someone complimented something about me, though I looked up at him regardless with a smile. "Thank you," I whispered back, shifting my gaze from one of his eyes to the other. "If it means anything in turn, I'm finding it difficult to take them off of yours."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 14:50:49 GMT -5
I chuckled softly. "Thank you, Milady. I owe them to my mother," I replied in a secretive whisper. "Tell noone, but she is D'Angeline."
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 15:09:04 GMT -5
I smiled amusedly at his quiet whisper, having guessed already that a strong thread of d'Angeline traced his blood. "I'll keep confidence, I promise," I whispered quietly, shifting my hand slightly in his. "Though you shouldn't be surprised if people know already. Your features fairly yell it, and in a way that's pleasant to look at." How forward that statement was for me, though I didn't regret it; if anything, it was nice to break out of the usual shell I had around me.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 15:20:27 GMT -5
"Why thank you, fair maiden," I replied lightly, though I was, in my heart, overly pleased with my victory. "You are yourself rather stunning, you should know."
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 15:28:03 GMT -5
"All in the eye of the beholder," I said softly. "And I do believe you are holding me." Giving his hand a light squeeze to illustrate my point, I looked up quietly at him.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 15:43:08 GMT -5
"Am I?" I asked in a concerned jest. "Oh, by Asherat, yes I am," I laughed heartily, my arm tightening around her waist just a little.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 2, 2007 15:59:26 GMT -5
The tuneless dance continued as we flowed elegantly across the floor, the lessons learned in youth apparently still strong in the both of us. The crowd washed across my vision as they sat at their tables, and the sky was fully dark outside the windows. Silence hung for a moment as I simply contented myself in dancing with Gillermo, enjoying the feel of the swirling air brush across my face.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on May 2, 2007 16:07:07 GMT -5
She closed her eyes. Her abandonment was splendid, and I felt the irreppressible desire to kiss her, but didn't. Mirielle Bellamont is not the sort of woman one beds and forgets. If I let her, I would be ensnared in her charm and her innocence would bewitch me completely. Best to be careful.
So for once, for the first time perhaps in his existence, Gillermo Stragazza did not kiss a conquest in abandonment, I mused to myself. Such would be the ending of the tale if it was one.
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