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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 7, 2009 12:56:25 GMT -5
Maric had something similar, and I found myself becoming intrigued with this mysterious Shahrizai; I would have to push Sarielle about that dinner. "How so?" I asked, taking another sip of my wine. "I haven't met him, but I have heard the same from other sources. I admit to being wildly curious." I smiled and shook my head slightly. "I know what they say about curiousity, but it is one of my vices that I can't seem to shake."
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jun 9, 2009 18:00:23 GMT -5
I could have kicked myself! Now she was curious and wanted to know what I meant and I couldn't see a way of telling her without mentioning the assignation in some form or other.
I decided to play for time by taking a long draught of wine whilst I thought of some way to explain what I meant that didn't drop me in it. My Dowayne would nigh kill me if she found out I'd been gossiping about assignations.
I put the glass down on the table, somewhat surprised that it was empty once again.
"Oh, just something I've heard about him. It piqued my curiosity too." I grinned at Naia in my most disarming manner. "It's not often you hear about one of the Shahrizai being different. I'm not saying you're all exactly the same, of course. I'm sure you understand what I mean." Sweet Elua! I was babbling! I cleared my throat and continued a little more carefully. "In my line of work I've...er.." I paused and grinned again and carried on, changing what I was going to say. "well, let's just say I've met a fair few Shahrizai, and learning of one that isn't cast in the same mould so to speak is...intriguing."
I gave an inward sigh of relief. I thought I managed that rather well, no mentions of assignations in the slightest!
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 10, 2009 21:13:31 GMT -5
I unobtrusively refilled Liana's glass as she stumbled over her words. I smiled softly, wanting to put her at ease, though I had to admit to being amused at her words. "I'm sure you've seen quite a few of my brethren, and not always at their best." I wondered if she knew the only other Shahrizai in town that I knew, so I added, "Do you know my cousin Gadleon?"
I sipped at my own wine, watching her from above the rim of my glass. I was willing to be that she did know him, and not just in passing. Gadleon seemed like a man of hearty appetites, and I didn't doubt that he had sampled a few Valerians in his time.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jun 11, 2009 16:52:50 GMT -5
I smiled at the memory of our last assignation.
"Yes, I know of him. " I said carefully. "He's quite....something, don't you think?" I paused and considered Naia thoughtfully.
"Do you know him well?" I asked curiously. I'd heard that the Shahrizai family were close in more ways than one - despite the constant rumours and gossip of in-fighting and arguments and I wanted to know if that was true. It was rare that I actually got to speak to a Shahrizai outside of assignations and I was determined not to let this opportunity go to waste.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 13, 2009 14:53:09 GMT -5
I watched her smile, and though her words belied anything more than that she knew of him, I had my suspicions. Her question gave me a moment's pause; how to answer? I decided that giving a little was the best way to get a little, and so I was honest.
"I wouldn't say I know him well, though I do know him," I paused for effect, before continuing, "intimately." As does my sister, I thought, somewhat sourly. I sipped my wine and regarded Liana with a small smile. The conversation had been intriguing thus far, and I realized that even if I gleaned no useful information here that I was quite enjoying the game. Was that what made my family such good predators? The love of the hunt, the chase, the game... whatever one called it, it was in our blood.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jun 17, 2009 14:06:44 GMT -5
Naia's answer surprised me somewhat. Although I was fishing for information, I hadn't really expected her to answer so honestly and I felt my eyebrows rise in surprise before I had a chance to compose my face. I reached for my glass again and realised that it was now full once more.
"Anyone would suspect you were trying to get me inebriated!" I said, half laughing. "It's a good thing I've had something to eat as well, otherwise I'd be under the table by now." I laughed and pushed the glass away. "Thank you, but I think I'd best stop drinking for a while. My Dowayne will not be pleased if one of her adepts returns staggering all over the place and reeking of wine - nice though it is." I smiled at Naia and beckoned for a waiter to bring me a pitcher of water. Once I'd taken a sip of water, I asked Naia something else.
"Are you and your sister close?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 17, 2009 21:35:05 GMT -5
I saw the surprise on Liana's face, and smiled widely. She reached for her wine, but seemed to realize that I had been keeping her glass quite full. Ah well, I suppose getting her drunk would have been too easy.
"Not apurpose," I said, laughing softly. "I am soon to be a bartender, I suppose I am practicing." I was feeling a bit lighter today, until Liana asked a question that soured me immediately, though I did not let that show on my face.
"Not especially." I answered slowly. "We were, as children, but we have been apart for some years. That's why I came to the City, so that we might regain our closeness." That wasn't quite true, but it was close enough.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jun 18, 2009 14:18:21 GMT -5
"I can understand that." I remarked, somewhat wistfully. " It must have been horrid to be parted from your sister for so long. Do you have any other siblings? I'd love to have a sister, or even a brother."
I took another sip of water and mused on what it would have been like to have a sister or brother to tease and protect.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 20, 2009 17:30:13 GMT -5
"No, just Sarielle and I." I said, keeping my features smooth - I hoped - while taking another sip of wine. What good was having a sibling if they were just another person who could break your heart?
"Sometimes having a sibling is more of a pain than anything." I said carefully, running my finger over the rim of my glass.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jun 24, 2009 15:32:01 GMT -5
"Really?" I asked intrigued. "How so? You'll have to excuse my ignorance, I suppose I have a happy family in mind when I think of brothers and sisters, though I suppose that really isn't always the case."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 24, 2009 21:44:18 GMT -5
I shrugged slightly, thinking about all of the things I'd once loved about having a sister. It had all disappeared on the day that Sarielle had left me behind, but of course it wasn't something I was keen to share.
Instead I simply smiled and shook my head. "Oh, you know, things like having to share with someone, or arguing for your parent's attention, little things like that." I was really just making things up at this point, as Sari and I hadn't had any sibling rivalry - well, until now.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jun 25, 2009 14:06:07 GMT -5
"Aah I see." I paused for reflection as I took another sip of water, my head clearing after the wine. "I hadn't considered that." I paused as a thought hit me and I wondered how Naia would react to it. An impish smile crossed my lips as I thought that I might as well ask. "Do you and your sister share many... things?" It could be interesting to have two sisters as Patrons - so I waited with interest on Naia's reply.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 25, 2009 16:47:45 GMT -5
I thought immediately of Gadleon and I couldn't stop a bitter smile from creeping across my face. "Some things, yes." Of course, Sarielle hadn't exactly been willing to share him, but wasn't that what made it so sweet? Well, it had turned out bittersweet, actually.
That thought was souring, but I pulled myself out of it. I didn't really want Liana to see that Sarielle and I were at odds, and I felt as if I'd already given too much away. Her question seemed a little probing, and with a sudden flash of clarity, I thought I'd knew why she was asking. Now that was an interesting thought, my competitive nature was piqued. I imagined that it would not be fun for poor Liana, however, being the one who we tried to one-up each other on. Or maybe it would, who could fathom the mind of a Valerian?
"We do share, some things." I said, tapping my fingernails on the table and smiling at her. I wondered if Sarielle would be amenable to such an arrangement, and determined to broach the subject at some point.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jun 26, 2009 17:35:02 GMT -5
I watched as a strange bitter type smile crossed Naia's face. What in the name of Namaah had I put my foot into? But she answered civilly enough and soon the smile changed to a more friendly - if slightly predatory one as she answered my question. I returned the smile and shivered slightly at the thought of the pair of them together.
"So, Naia, what did you come over here for? I'm sure it wasn't just to buy me wine, though it is very much appreciated."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 26, 2009 21:53:36 GMT -5
Ah, the heart of the matter. Of course I had no intention of being honest, so I simply smiled and said, "Oh, well, when I saw you, you looked terribly familiar and I knew it would bother me if I didn't figure it out." I took a sip of my wine, smiling softly.
"And then your company was so delightful, I decided to stay and chat. Have I intruded terribly on your lunch?"
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jun 27, 2009 17:36:45 GMT -5
I blushed at her compliment and hastened to assure her that her intrusion wasn't an unwelcome one. "No, of course not. How else could I have shown off my purchases? I'm grateful for your forbearance in the matter." I replied with a teasing lilt in my voice. "Besides you are an excellent conversationalist and your company has been most welcome. I must admit that you looked familiar to me too and I was also racking my brains to see where I knew you from." I chuckled and said "It turns out that I didn't know you at all. You do look very like your sister, I hope you don't mind me saying?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 27, 2009 18:48:13 GMT -5
"Not at all," I said, chuckling. Though I often disliked Sarielle, I could hardly deny our resemblence. "We both look very like our mother, I've been told." I glanced down at her many bags and laughed softly.
"I don't mind being your audience, as I love shopping myself. One day I shall perhaps have you return the favor." I was learning not to burn my bridges with people since coming to the City, and I endeavored to leave this encounter with the possibilities for future ones open. You never could tell when who you knew would become as handy as what you knew.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jun 28, 2009 6:39:48 GMT -5
I smiled warmly "It would be my pleasure." And I meant it, it wasn't often that I would get a sit down conversation with a member of the Shahrizai, indeed most of my encounters with that family did not involve much in the way of speech, let alone conversation.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 28, 2009 13:05:34 GMT -5
Well, it seemed as if there was nothing left to say, and an awkward silence descended over us. I drained my glass, and smiled wryly. "Well, I shall be sure to look you up the next time I do some shopping." Or perhaps for more intriguing reasons, one of these days.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jun 29, 2009 15:20:22 GMT -5
"I'll hold you to that" I replied with a grin, but not able to shake the feeling that perhaps I should have said more somehow. "Are you off now? Fancy some shopping - since we're in the Artisan district and all? I think my feet have just about recovered." I said wriggling my toes in experimentation.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 29, 2009 21:01:23 GMT -5
I considered a moment, thinking about the empty day stretching out in front of me. "Why not? I always enjoy spending my sister's coin." I said with a wink. "It looks like you've already hit most of the clothing stores, so maybe we should look at somewhat else?"
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jul 1, 2009 15:49:29 GMT -5
"That's fine by me - although I have no objection to revisiting the ones I've already been to, maybe you can spot a bargain I've missed!" I said with a cheeky smile. I beckoned the waiter for my bill and paid. "Where would you like to start?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jul 1, 2009 23:17:39 GMT -5
"Renfermer le Parfum? I need something new, I'm tired of my old scent." I rose and left some coin on the table to cover the cost of our lunch. Well, mine was a liquid lunch, but that was nothing new. "All set?"
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Jul 2, 2009 12:02:43 GMT -5
"Sounds good. I could do with a new scent myself." I gathered up all my bags, checking anxiously under the table to make sure I'd not left any. "Lead on, Naia." I said with a smile, whilst I debated on how much coin I could spend.
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