Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 4, 2006 17:25:27 GMT -5
Shylah excitedly leapt out of the carriage ahead of me as we stopped at Alyssum. I scurried out behind her, forgetting my dignity in my excitement at seeing LaValle again. I had debated with bringing him a gift of the quality he had given me, but I decided to wait. I didn't want to settle for whatever happened to be available, I wanted something perfectly suited to him. Instead, I brought nothing but myself and my desire to see him again.
I was greeted by an adept at the door and I informed him who I was and that I was here to see LaValle. He asked if I would like to wait in the receiving room. I told him I would prefer to wait in the courtyard if possible. He bowed, motioned to the courtyard and hurried off.
I walked out into the mild sunshine, finding a bench on which to sit and wait.
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 4, 2006 17:47:48 GMT -5
I'd been unable to sleep since I dropped off the gift; I was worried and a little exhilarated at what I had done, though I didn't expect a response, at least not immediately. I was lost in my own thoughts when I was interrupted by a knock at the door; it startled me and I jumped back a step, then sat in a chair and softly said, "Enter, please."
Another adept stood in the doorway, blonde haired, eyes cast down. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but the Princess Leyna de Somerville waits in the courtyard."
I looked up at the adept in shock, my mind not immediately registering what my ears had heard. her very name called up her scent and picture, eyes glowing and lips in a slight smile. Suddenly I was shy again; would she look on me differently today that she had that night? Swallowing down a lump of anxiety in my throat I thanked the adept for his message and retrieved my cloak; luckily I had dressed well to deliver her gift and had been to preoccupied to change back.
I walked through the halls at a moderate pace, trying to compose myself before I reached her. By the time I was entering the courtyard I thought I appeared calm and collected, though my heart and mind were racing. Eyes downcast I made my way toward Leyna, a shy smile hovering at my mouth and in my eyes.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 4, 2006 18:03:36 GMT -5
A soft noise drew my attention and I looked up to see LaValle approaching. I stood, happy and excited to see him. Just the sight of him brought a flush to my skin as memories of our night together swirled in my mind.
I opened my mouth to say something but stopped as Shylah bounded over to him, all wagging tail and doggie smiles. I laughed then, the slight tension at not knowing just what to say leaving me.
"I think she's almost as excited to see you as I am," I told him
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 4, 2006 18:13:43 GMT -5
I looked up as Shylah ran toward me and knelt to caress the soft fur of her back; a wide smile crossed my face and I looked up at Leyna. Surely a person couldn't grow MORE beautiful every time you saw them? But she was, and Shylah seemed softer, and the world seemed like a better place. She was happy to see me, her skin radiant and slightly flushed, and I realized so was mine; slighly less innocent memories flitted across my mind and I pushed them back.
Standing I made my way to where Leyna stood, waiting for me. I knew this place; I myself had helped to care for the flowers and bushes, but somehow it was all new when I came to meet a patron- my first- here. The smell of apples was once again evident, mixing with the last blooms of the flowers before they died for the winter to be born again. When I reached her I was suddenly tempted to pull her into my arms for a quick hug; instead I bowed quickly yet respectfully and let my eyes meet hers.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 4, 2006 18:19:22 GMT -5
He was so handsome, it made my flush deepen. I took his hand as he straightened up from his bow, holding it between my own.
"I got your gift," I said, my voice soft and full of emotion. "Thank you so much. I think it may be the most… beautiful…no, beautiful isn't a good enough word. It's the most exquisite thing I have ever seen. I will treasure it as long as I live."
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 4, 2006 20:14:57 GMT -5
I looked at her- and I froze. Her hand holding mine was warm in the chilly morning and her eyes looked on me just as warmly, but I felt as though my mind was frozen. I must have looked like an idiot, my eyes wide and features still, but part of my mind was babbling incoherently in glee and I could not seem to make myself do anything.
Luckily this condition lasted only a moment; Shylah brushed against me and I was able to gamely smile and answer her as I blushed hotly. "I hoped you would like it, though I wasn't sure if you would remember," I murmured softly.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 4, 2006 20:20:34 GMT -5
Feeling a little conspicuous standing there, I gently drew him down with me as I sat on the bench again.
"LaValle, there is nothing about you or that night that I will ever forget," I said, my voice still soft. "I do not have words to explain what it meant to me or how I will hold it in my heart for eternity."
It was my turn to blush and look down, emotion and lack of ability to express those feelings overwhelming me.
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 4, 2006 20:36:24 GMT -5
I let her sit me down, our hands still clasped and she said things that made my blood rush embarrassingly to my face, feeling as warm as if I'd drunk too much wine. It was an apt metaphor; her presence was intoxicating.
She bowed her head and I could almost feel that she was trying to express something that wouldn't come out. Hestitatingly I ran my free hand through her hair and my words stumbled out. "No one but a fool could ever forget you once they've met you. You're like....an angel." Blushing, I looked at the bench.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 4, 2006 20:43:39 GMT -5
Without thought my head tilted to press against his hand as he ran it through my hair. I was even more lost as to what to say.
There was a pattering of feet as several young children came into the courtyard, herded along by an older man. I glanced up at the sudden company and felt a need for distance between us and them.
"Would you show me the gardens?" I asked
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 4, 2006 21:08:00 GMT -5
I looked up, dazed, as some of the children walked by, shy and demure, then looked at Leyna, taking a moment to process her request through the giddy part of my brain. After a moment I stood, her hand in mine, and and took her to the far corner of the gardens. I knew I should put her arm through mine so I could escort her correctly but part of me didn't want to let go for that long, fearing she would disappear.
"Sometimes I work in the gardens," I told her quietly. "It's nice and peaceful and flowers don't tell secrets. They don't judge, either. They are good friends."
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 4, 2006 21:14:00 GMT -5
I moved my hand just enough so that I could twine my fingers with his and hold his hand even more securely.
"That is how I am with animals," I said, my voice matching his. "I have no talent with plants and flowers."
I looked around the gardens, smiling at how even a place not staffed with royal gardeners drew beauty from the earth in the growing cold. "You have done a wonderful job here, everything is so beautiful," I said, turning back to him and smiling.
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 4, 2006 21:30:49 GMT -5
I smiled back at her. "Well, it wasn't much my doing- Adin does the planting, I only do the weeding. Besides, I would be a bad gardner; I feel guilty every time I pull up a weed, as though I have no right to judge one beauty over another."
I realized I was talking about myself entirely too much, probably out of nervousness. "Besides, Shylah is much prettier and more useful than a plant, and much harder to train! Still..I don't know, I just feel closer to the flowers and weeds."
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 4, 2006 21:40:42 GMT -5
"I don't know if my connection with animals all comes from Anael or if I would have been close to them having been born to another family," I said, watching Shylah sniff at the flowers and bushes. "As for my furry companion, whatever training it appears she has is all an act. She does what I tell her only when it suits her mood."
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 4, 2006 21:53:11 GMT -5
I raised an eyebrow at leyna, feeling slightly bold. "What, you would malign this beautiful creature? Surely she is a fairy nursemaid sent to care for you, for her manners and impeccable and her charm disarming."
Just then I remembered myself and looked down. "I mean, how could she not listen to you? I think everyone must."
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 4, 2006 22:05:21 GMT -5
I laughed at LaValle's assessment of Shylah. "She is my dear friend, but if she hears you talk about her that way her little doggie head is going to swell so much she won't be able to raise it anymore," I said.
"As for listening to me, I am lucky if I can make myself listen I have no illusions of others doing so," I said, sighing softly.
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 4, 2006 22:08:31 GMT -5
I squeezed her hand compassionately. She sounded pensive and I wanted her to be happy when I was around. I turned to her and put my hand on her cheek. "I'll listen to whatever you have to say," I said quietly.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 4, 2006 22:13:01 GMT -5
I pressed my cheek to his hand and smiled softly.
"I like you too much to order you to do anything," I said. "Besides, I don't expect my decisions to be better than anyone else's."
"It would be nice if Shylah would stop chewing off the edges of the new rugs though," I said with chuckle.
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 4, 2006 22:18:15 GMT -5
Smiling wryly I wagged my finger at Shylah, who gave me a puzzled look. "You should stop that- rugs will give you horrible indigestion. I'd hate to see you with a stomachache."
Suddenly I wanted to feel her lean her head against my hand again and replaced it where it had been.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 4, 2006 23:11:43 GMT -5
I closed my eyes and pressed my cheek against his hand again. I turned my head slightly and kissed his palm.
Then I blushed at my boldness and looked down, "Forgive me, I am too forward," I said.
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 5, 2006 8:28:24 GMT -5
I bit back a gasp as her lips touched my skin; images from that night danced before my eyes. As they cleared I heard her statement and saw her embarrassment; a newly-born agressive voice in my head told me to ravish her neck, but I knew better than to entertain it. Instead I ran my thumb over her cheek, stepped closer and whispered, "You are not forward; you are honest, and sweet, and lovely. You could never be too forward with me."
I stepped back again and looked shyly into her eyes. "After all, I am the one who started this; I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable but..." I said quietly, blushing brightly, "I..I enjoy being around you and touching you."
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 5, 2006 15:39:48 GMT -5
"You do not make me uncomfortable, nor would you ever be able to do so," I said, looking into his eyes. " I like being around you and touching you too." I took his hand in mine and pressed my lips more purposefully to his palm before twining my fingers with his to hold his hand again.
"I wish I could spend all my time here with you." I said. "Just being around you makes me so happy."
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 5, 2006 17:26:52 GMT -5
My eyes brightened in happiness and I grinned foolishly. Leaning forward I quickly kissed her cheek, then turned to continue showing her the garden. "I would like it if you could stay here forever; just live in a little house here in the garden so we could visit."
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 5, 2006 19:29:47 GMT -5
"That would be wonderful," I said, grinning and looking around as we strolled. "Where would we put the house though? Even for a small house we'd have to tear up some of this beautiful garden and that would be tragic."
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 5, 2006 19:33:36 GMT -5
I looked around and pointed to a slight rise, carpeted with soft grass and low-growing flowers. "The flowers would be alright; we just wouldn't put in a floor and they could be your carpeting. It would go right there, under the willow tree, see?"
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 5, 2006 20:17:56 GMT -5
"Perfect!" I said, hurrying over to the rise.
"Who will we get to build the house?" I asked, giggling and smiling.
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 5, 2006 20:31:36 GMT -5
I let her pull me to the rise, the tree sheltering us. "The flower pixies will come out of the ground and build it. You'll have tea with them every morning and leave milk out for them at night. The dryad of the tree will be your handmaiden."
I knelt in the flowers and sat back on my heels. "What would your house look like? A palace, or a country cottage, or a tower to the clouds?"
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 5, 2006 22:56:38 GMT -5
I let myself collapse onto the grass.
"A cottage… with walls made of spider webs so that they sparkle with the dew like stars refusing to fade from the morning sky," I said.
Shylah bound over to where we were, making little yips and soft barks as she danced around us. I laughed as she knocked me over and covered my face with doggie kisses.
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 6, 2006 9:39:02 GMT -5
I grinned at he happiness as my heart soared. Picking up some flowers I began to weave them into a chain, linking the flowers together. "It sounds like you have a head for design, but how would you keep the wind out?"
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 6, 2006 9:47:35 GMT -5
I finally managed to push Shylah away and she bounded off. I squirmed over to where LaValle was and laid my head on his legs, careful not to disturb his work.
"The willow will block a lot of the wind, and I will enjoy whatever comes through," I said, smiling up at him. I watched him weaving the flowers together. "You shall have to weave me a coverlet of flowers for my bed."
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Post by LaValle nó Alyssum on Mar 6, 2006 10:01:08 GMT -5
Her head rested on my leg as I worked and I blushed at her mention of a bed- for some reason I was sensitive on that subject. "Yes, that I would. And if you wanted roses for your pillow I would shear of the thorns. And your gowns would be made of flower petals and goosedown."
I was not usually very vocal with my imaginings, but this seemed different; as though it might actually happen if I spoke it. Maybe she had that magic, though I didn't think so- there was still a real world, no matter how I tried to stop it.
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