Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 25, 2009 21:36:03 GMT -5
I had had trouble sleeping ever since I had seen Guy in the North Borough. When I closed my eyes, I could feel his lips against mine. I could taste him, I could smell him, and I imagined the next logical step...
I woke up with a gasp, just as I had damn near every other night, reaching out for Guy even though I knew he wasn't there. Somehow I had thrown off all of my bedclothes, and yet my skin felt like it was on fire. Quickly, before the urgency of my dream was lost, I touched my pearl with my fingertips, faster and faster, until my back arched with pleasure and I cried out his name.
As my breathing slowed, I stood up, letting my skin dry in the cool night air. I wanted to see Guy more than anything in the world, but I knew that would hurt him. It was a selfish idea, and yet I turned it over in my mind a few times before I let it drop.
No, I would have to do the next best thing.
I pulled on a dark dress, one of the few I had, and padded through the halls of Orchis, out the front door. I walked and walked until I reached the house I had visited several times before. I knew better than to knock on the front door. Dyan would string me up by my thumbs for visiting at this late hour. Instead I circled around the Gilot house to Sophine's room. Using the timeworn trick, I picked up a stone off the ground and threw it against the glass.
"Sophine!" I whispered as loudly as I could, throwing another stone. "Sophine, let me in!"
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 25, 2009 21:57:20 GMT -5
"Oh, Luc, yes... yesss..."
I awoke with a start just at he dream was getting interesting and groaned, my entire body aching with need. I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, hoping the dream would continue where it had left off, when I heard the plink of something against my window.
What the...? I slid out of bed, grabbing the black silk robe that hung on the bedpost and slipping into it. I heard the sound again, and then heard something... someone? Going to the window, I pulled aside the curtains and peered out into the night.
"Sandrine?" I said the word to myself, chuckling and shaking my head, my dream forgotten. I opened the window and leaned out, looking down over the back lawn. "Sandrine, whatever are you doing out there?" I laughed again, looking over at the trellis and motioning toward it. "Well, you can climb the trellis, or I suppose I can sneak downstairs and let you in the servant's entrance; which do you prefer?"
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 25, 2009 22:47:27 GMT -5
I grinned up at her, one hand raised in greeting. "Oh, nothing in particular," I said. I considered the trellis. "Well, as you well know, I prefer doing everything the hard way. Give me a minute."
I took my slippers off, holding them in my teeth, and then I stepped onto the trellis with my bare feet. I climbed using my legs, knowing that my arms were not strong enough to pull myself up. Luckily I had plenty of experience climbing up and down and in and out.
I made it to the top of the trellis and poked my head over Sophine's windowsill. I spat my slippers into her room, and then I climbed in after them, laying spread eagled on the floor, trying to catch my breath.
"That looks a lot easier than it was," I panted as I sat up, looking at her. A slow grin passed over my face, and I allowed my eyes to travel up and down her frame. "Are you wearing anything under that robe, Sophine?" I asked, jokingly, as I pulled myself to my feet.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 25, 2009 23:11:38 GMT -5
I should have known that she would choose to climb the trellis, and I watched her with an amused smile on my lips. When she clambered into my window and sprawled across my floor, I had to laugh, covering my mouth with a hand to try and keep quiet. I shook my head, giggling at her question.
"No, actually, I prefer to sleep without anything between myself and these expensive sheets my sister buys." I said, grinning. It was true, actually, they felt divine. I offered her a hand as she rose, in case she needed a bit of assistance.
"Now, more to the point, what brings you here at this hour? And interrupting a really great dream, no less." I sighed a bit melodramatically, thinking of Luc and all the things that I had been going to do to him in my dream. And perhaps the next time I saw him, as well.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 26, 2009 0:19:13 GMT -5
"Your sister has impeccable taste," I said dryly. I took her hand and allowed her to help me stand up. "Does Luc know you sleep naked?" I said, giving her the kiss of greeting. "You should tell him during the light of day...it will give him something to think about." Truth be told, it might have given me something to think about as well, if only Guy hadn't had such a hold on me.
Speaking of which, Sophine got right to the point. My stomach twisted painfully. I couldn't bring myself to say anything about her dreams...I was sure they were nowhere as vivid or as filled with longing as mine.
Careful not to let my emotions get the better of me, I smiled. I wanted to think of how to phrase my question.
"I couldn't sleep," I said, simply.
I was too busy thinking about how it felt to kiss your brother.
"There was a lot of noise down the hall...some naughty fosterlings took it upon themselves to giggle all night long, and since I have no authority over them, they don't listen to me." I chuckled. "Though since I'm usually the one leading them in mischief, it's no wonder they don't believe me when I'm trying to be serious."
I was remembering his touch against my own skin, so warm and gentle and strong all at the same time.
"And since I know you're up all hours of the night, and it's obvious you don't need any beauty sleep," I said, winking, "I figured you wouldn't mind a visit."
Since I can't get physically close to Guy without hurting him, since I have no idea what he's doing or what he's thinking, you're the next best thing.
"So...how are things?" I said, realizing that I was babbling but soldiering on bravely. If I lost my nerve now I might never regain it. "We haven't talked in a while. Have you been able to spend more time with Guy, now that he's here?" Gods, even saying his name caused my heart to skip a beat. "Any more fetes I should know about? You know, the usual things." I smiled and brushed my hair out of my eyes. Hopefully I sounded nonchalant and not like a bundle of raw nerves.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 26, 2009 13:46:49 GMT -5
I giggled when she mentioned Luc, as we exchanged the kiss of greeting. "Oh, I think I may have mentioned it in passing once or twice."
Her explanation seemed a little flimsy to me, and my brow furrowed slightly. "You snuck out, came all the way out here, climbed up my trellis, just because you couldn't sleep? Has no one ever taught you the wonders of warm milk, or counting sheep?" Even her explanation about the fosterlings seemed fishy to me, though I did enjoy the flattery that followed it.
"Things are all right." I said, sitting on the edge of my bed and gesturing for Sandrine to join me. "Actually, I've only seen Guy a few times since he's been here." My eyes narrowed suddenly. "And in fact, the last time he was here, he was asking quite a few questions about you." There couldn't possibly be anything between Guy and Sandrine, he was a Cassiline for Elua's sake. I dismissed the idea as patently ridiculous.
"Now, tell the truth, why are you really here? Have you gone and gotten into some sort of trouble? You know I'll help you if I can."
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 26, 2009 14:03:26 GMT -5
I laughed, sitting down next to her. "I'm not a country girl like you. I don't count sheep, I count patrons." I pointed to my fingers, counting off, looking to see her reaction. "One languisment, two languisments, three languisments..." I giggled and poked her in the side. "You know how it goes, I'm sure."
She mentioned that Guy had asked about me, and I felt the butterflies in my stomach do a queasy little dance. I was happy it was a bit dark, because maybe then she couldn't see the smile that fleetingly crossed my face. "That's strange..." I said, looking at her for a second before I laid back on the bed, swinging my feet, hands behind my head. "We only met for a few moments," I lied. "He probably was worried that I was guiding you down the path to evil. And rightly so. I tend to give people like him a bad impression. You know, people that have good sense."
I paused for a second, looking at her ceiling. "So what did he ask you?" I asked, purposefully ignoring her last question.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 26, 2009 14:56:04 GMT -5
I laughed aloud at her comments, shaking my head. "Actually, I don't... well, maybe a bit..." I thought about Luc and shivered slightly. The conversation turned to my brother, which I found boring, but Sandrine seemed to have an opinion on.
"Don't be silly, I'm sure my brother would not be so judgmental." I paused and made a face. "Well, if he's got Dyan's opinions, or the typical Cassiline attitude. But I don't think so, he doesn't talk about you as if he thinks you're a bad influence or anything."
She asked me what he said, exactly, and I had to think a moment. "Oh, he just wanted to know about you, like where you were from, how long you'd been at Orchis, things like that. I told him I wasn't your biographer and he could just ask you himself the next time we were all together." Even as the words were out my mouth, my suspicions began to return. Why were they so interested in each other? Was it just out of some mutual concern for me, or was there more to it? I wasn't sure how I felt about that idea; I loved Sandrine, but Guy was my brother and I wouldn't have her tempting him to disgrace himself. "Why do you want to know?" I asked, trying not to let my suspicion show on my face.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 26, 2009 15:18:26 GMT -5
Her reaction to my joke about languisment made me smile. "Don't play coy with me, darling," I said, walking my fingers up her back. "Luc might be a big ol' country boy, but from the way he was talking at that fete I'm sure he knew how to back it up. You can spare me the details, because Elua knows I don't want to imagine it." I made a face and imitated her voice, slightly higher pitched than mine and breathy. "Oh, Luc, yes, there, don't stop, please..." I laughed. "And so on."
When she started talking about Guy again I sat up and looked at her. "I was mostly kidding. He's not judgmental at all. He's very nice." I cleared my throat. "At least from what I could tell." And then I laid back down, looking up at the ceiling again.
I chuckled at her retort to her brother. I could just imagine his face when she said that. "That's a good one, Sophine," I said, eyes on her back. "Maybe he's just nosy. It probably runs in the family. As for why I want to know...well, I'm curious as to what motivates a Cassiline," I lied. "I need to know if he's going to be following me around or something to protect his ward. As I'm sure you can understand, there's plenty of things I get into that I don't want any authority figure to know, let alone a Cassiline."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 27, 2009 10:57:03 GMT -5
I shivered as Sandrine's fingers tripped up my spine, then swatted at her when she began to tease me. "It was more like this, actually." With a wicked little grin, I closed my eyes and issued a few low moans and threw in a "Mmm, Luc, yesss..." I opened my eyes and turned to grin at her. "See, I'm learning."
The conversation turned back to Guy, which was deadly dull as far as I was concerned. "Yes, he seems nice." I agreed, preening a bit when she complimented my retort, then laughing a bit when she hit me with the 'nosy' comment.
"Well, Guy is the only Cassiline I know, but I don't think he would bother to follow you around unless he thought you were some sort of threat. And anyway, I'm not his ward, it's some girl called Rochelle de Rouille. I've never heard of her, have you?" I knew Sandrine knew a lot more people in the City than I did, maybe she knew of this family that was so wealthy they needed a Cassiline around to stand guard over their only child.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 27, 2009 12:27:07 GMT -5
I looked at her and sat up, one eyebrow raised. "Sophine de Layne! You must have...oh! I was only kidding." I put my hand over my mouth in mock shock. "When? And you didn't tell me?" I poked her in the side. "Well, I'm proud. I can't help but feel partially responsible."
I listened to Sophine, looking down when she mentioned me being a threat. I was a threat, alright, and not to Rochelle. So much of a threat that it seemed he was avoiding me. I couldn't blame him, but maybe I was imagining it. The last time I had seen him ended in a confusing sort of way. Maybe he wouldn't mind a letter. I was not the type to write romantic notes, but Guy...well, Guy was already making me act quite out of character.
I blushed slightly at the name de Rouille. "Actually...I was contracted there a few days ago. It's a bit strange...her father Denis is very young, and yet that was one of the fanciest houses I've ever been in. Even in the North Borough!" I leaned in close to her. "I thought it was bizarre that Guy would be following such a girl...I've been trying to figure out how that man has made his money, but even my usual sources don't know much. Actually, I was going to ask a friend of mine in Night's Doorstep, but..."
I trailed off, looking at her. I had probably said too much. I didn't know how Sophine would react if I told her the whole truth, but I didn't think she would take it well. I laughed. "I know, I probably sound crazy...but I've been really bored. A mystery is always kind of fun, even if it's just about your brother's ward."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 27, 2009 12:39:12 GMT -5
I grinned, more than happy to dish about Luc. "Remember the opening at the wine shoppe? Afterwards. And I have been dying to tell you, but I haven't seen you since." I laughed when she poked me, squirming away from her finger. "Oh you are, with your naughty ways!" I giggled, but then settled down when Sandrine began to talk about the mysterious Denis de Rouille.
I raised a brow as she talked about the man, even going so far as to enquire about how he had made his fortune. Why did she care so much? Her excuse seemed a little lame to me, but then again, hadn't I done ridiculous things in the name of boredom myself? In fact, now that I thought about it, I was intrigued.
"I do love a good mystery. Perhaps between the two of us we can solve the mystery of how the family has come by their gold?" It was a harmless exercise, but might prove fun and my imagination was already running away with me. "Perhaps he is a great artist, and had work commissioned by the Queen, then retired because his inspiration deserted him. Or maybe he inherited the money from a long lost relation who died suddenly under mysterious circumstances. Oh, I know! What if he married his wife for her fortune, then murdered her... wait, is his wife alive?"
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 27, 2009 12:52:16 GMT -5
"Sweet Naamah, I was there and you were plotting right under my nose!" I laughed. "You cheeky little minx!"
I listened patiently as she ran through a myriad of theories. "Well, he was an...ah...inventive lover, but he didn't seem artistic. And there was no art in the house. His wife is alive, but she wasn't there when I visited. The one about the murder is an interesting idea..." I thought, tapping my fingertips against my bottom lip. "...but maybe someone has found out and he fears retribution against his daughter. My thought was that he is doing something illegal...smuggling counterfeit gold or jewelry, and now his 'business' partners are trying to take over his side of the business." I shivered suddenly. This all sounded rather dangerous. "Hopefully Guy will be okay," I said, lost for a few moments in my worries.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 27, 2009 13:38:23 GMT -5
I grinned, listening as Sandrine ticked off her own ideas. When she mentioned Guy, I waved my hand negligently. "He's a Cassiline, he'll have no trouble." I wasn't really interested in that aspect of it, more on Denis de Rouille himself. "The clues will lie with the man, so tell me all about him. Besides being an inventive lover. And what does that mean, anyway?" I asked, my curiousity piqued. I had to admit I was a bit worried about becoming boring to Luc.
I stretched a bit, stifling a yawn and settling a little more comfortably on the bed. I had a mind to run downstairs and get us a drink, so I raised my hand. "Hold that thought, I'm going to run downstairs and get us a midnight snack." So much for getting comfortable. I slid out of bed and out my bedroom door without giving Sandrine a chance to dissuade me.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 27, 2009 14:15:05 GMT -5
I was about to respond when she jumped up and walked out of the door. That was a good thing really, because I wasn't sure how to explain to her what inventive meant in that context. Not without a demonstration, at least.
I walked around her room, looking at her various things. The room was not so different from mine, except everything was much nicer. Vanity, mirror, notebooks, stationary, shirt that was very large...
I paused and picked up the shirt, looking carefully at it. There was a big rip at the bottom with the beginning of a repair started. Sophine had mentioned before that she didn't know how to sew very well, and I chuckled as I fingered the clumsy stitching. As I held the shirt close to examine it, I breathed in and suddenly realized without a doubt that it belonged to Guy. I gripped onto Sophine's chair, reeling as I remembered the way he kissed me, the way he felt in my arms, the way he looked at me with a combination of emotions that I couldn't even begin to describe. I couldn't help but to wrap the arms of the shirt around me, pretending it was him, wishing he was holding me right now.
It took all I had not to burst into tears. Instead I knew that I had to take it with me, somehow, some way. Quickly I crossed the room and looked down. I hooked the shirt on part of the trellis, which I knew I could climb back down, and then returned back to my seat on her bed, trying to pretend as if everything was normal.
What was wrong with me? What had happened? I had met hundreds of people in my life. I had had dozens of patrons. While I loved Faolan, it had taken me weeks to figure it out. My feelings for Faolan were sweet and tender--nothing like this. I was a bit scared of what Guy had done to me, how wholly he had affected my life, with a few innocent touches and one heartfelt kiss.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 27, 2009 21:16:04 GMT -5
In the kitchen, I tried to be as quiet as a mouse, picking through the pantry for whatever I might find. There was some leftover pastry from dessert and I grabbed that, wrapping it in a napkin, while I hunted for something to drink. I found a flagon of ale and grinned. Why not?
I padded on silent feet back through the house and up the stairs, balancing the food and drink as I pushed open my bedroom door. Sandrine was still sitting on my bed where I'd left her, and as I shut the door by pushing my buttocks against it, I smiled and said, "Okay, no sleepover is complete without food and drink." I brandished the flagon and the napkin full of pastries, walking back over to the bed and sitting across from her. "We have ale and raspberry tarts. What could be better?"
I settled the flagon between my criss-crossed legs and laid the napkin on the bed in front of us, unfolding it to reveal several flaky tarts, one of which I took and stuffed into my mouth unceremoniously. "Oh Gods, these are so good..." I said around a mouthful. "Try one and then tell me all about Denis."
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 27, 2009 22:57:00 GMT -5
I tried not to look too guilty, taking a huge bite of one of the pastries. "Wow," I said, spraying crumbs, "that is delicious. From now on you have to bring me these every time I see you. It's a requirement."
I chewed as I thought of what else I knew about Denis. "Well, his wife is gone a lot. I think she has family not far outside the city, and she gets homesick. Hm...his servants seem really loyal. In fact, as soon as we came in one of his servants ran up to him and whispered something urgent. Denis had to run off immediately..." I trailed off, remembering what else had happened that night.
I didn't know how much to tell Sophine. I didn't think she would run and tell Dyan or anyone else, but I didn't know how she would react. Would she think it was my fault?
I had to tell someone or else I would explode.
I reached over and took the flagon from her, taking a long pull of ale for courage. "Sophine..." I began, slowly. "I want to tell you the real reason I'm here." Another drink. My hands were shaking, and I wiped them on the bed. "But I'm scared that you will...think it's my fault." I swallowed hard. "Maybe it is my fault..." I laughed humorlessly. "Some days I'm not sure." I reached over and took her hand in both of mine. "Will you hear me out?" I felt that I was begging, but I didn't care. "Please?"
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 27, 2009 23:10:37 GMT -5
I laughed, wiping crumbs from my own mouth. "Easily done, the cook loves me." It was true, Dyan was rude to the servants and so they appreciated the fact that I was not. I was going to say something to that effect, but stopped as Sandrine began to talk about Denis.
"He sounds like a shady character." I commented, waving the flagon around a bit before taking a long drink. Gods, but it was bitter! Why did my brother-in-law drink this so often? I made a face and stuffed another tart in my mouth to get rid of the taste. Sandrine took the flagon, taking a drink that made mine look like a small sip.
Her next words caused my brow to crease with worry. "Of course, Sandrine. I can't imagine what you could have done that would upset you so." I reached over and squeezed her arm. "You can tell me anything, you know that." I was actually a bit frightened - Sandrine was indomitable, to see her so worried was borderline terrifying.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 28, 2009 0:14:05 GMT -5
"I was coming from an assignation in the North Borough early one morning, in a stupid short dress and my hair in plaits, for Elua's sake," I said, taking another gulp of the ale. "I saw a man, a Cassiline, practicing his forms." The words were coming faster now, even though my voice was trembling. "The Cassiline walked me home, and I invited him in to Orchis for breakfast." I laughed, for real this time, at the memory. "We almost got caught in the kitchen, but you know me...we were able to avoid any trouble."
I looked down, unable to meet her gaze. "Since then I've dreamed about him almost every night. I didn't think it was possible that he might feel the same way...but then I had that assignation with Denis de Rouille." A sob escaped my lips. "We saw each other, and oh, Sophine, there was a look in his eyes...and then I knew Guy wanted the exact same thing I did." I pushed the heels of my hands against my eyelids, trying to force the image out of my mind.
"I don't know what love is supposed to be like, Sophine," I said, "but I never, ever meant for this to happen. I'm many things, but I am not a blasphemer...I promise you that, by Elua I swear..." I was starting to cry now, I couldn't help it. "It's like one of those old stories, you know? Star-crossed lovers, that stupid cliche..." I took a deep shuddering breath. "I just wanted to hear something about him, you know? I know he's avoiding me, and that's good, because Elua knows I don't want him to break his vows." I hugged my arms around myself tightly and shut my eyes. "But oh, do I miss him..."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 28, 2009 20:52:41 GMT -5
I didn't know what to say. I just sat there, staring at her in disbelief. Sandrine and Guy? I couldn't wrap my mind around it, especially seeing her like this, crying and obviously tormented by her feelings. I wasn't sure how to feel; on one hand, I loved them both, and who better for my brother than my best friend? On the other hand, my brother was a sworn Cassiline; their love was blasphemy, and my brother would be thrown out of the Order, declared anathema, and I didn't want that for him.
I realized that I was staring at her with my mouth hanging open and I clicked it shut with an audible snap. "I... I don't know what to say, Sandrine." Well, that was the truth, at least. "I mean, you understand that this can't happen, right?" She said she did, but did she really? "You know what would happen to Guy if he broke his vows. Being a Cassiline is his whole life." I studied her tearstained face and the way she said his name and I felt a chill of fear for my brother. I just couldn't see Sandrine being able to stay away, and though I would say nothing of it to her, I decided then and there that I would do whatever I could to keep them apart.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 28, 2009 21:54:20 GMT -5
I didn't need to read minds to know what Sophine was thinking. It was written all over her face. "There's nothing to say, Sophine," I said softly, unable to look at her any more, still holding myself tightly. "I know it can't happen," I echoed, but there was a bit of an edge to my voice, a bit of the anger and frustration that I felt at the situation. "I've read everything I can get my hands on about the Cassiline order, I feel like I could almost become a Cassiline myself." Suddenly my head snapped up and I looked at her, eyes blazing with intensity. "I don't even know how to describe what I'm going through, Sophine, but know that I would never, ever, want Guy to break his vows. I care for him too much to see that happen."
I sighed heavily. "The City is too small for me to promise to never see him again. But I won't seek him out." I laughed again, finally looking away. "This might be the first time in my life where I won't go looking for trouble." I reached out and grabbed her hands, my eyes pleading. "I just...I don't want you to think any less of me. If you think I wanted this to happen, you're wrong. It's terrible, this lack of control, but I know the only way to get ahold of myself and my life is to stay far far away. That I can control." I squeezed her hands a bit too tightly in my desperation, feeling her slender bones move under her skin, and immediately let go. "You believe me, don't you, Sophine?"
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 28, 2009 22:08:55 GMT -5
I winced as Sandrine squeezed my hands tightly, but said nothing, looking into her eyes intently. Finally I sighed. "I do believe you, Sandrine. I believe that you care about Guy, that you don't want to hurt him. I'm just afraid for you both." I reached for her hands, squeezing them gently. "I'll do anything I can to help." I smiled weakly. "Whatever you need, if you need a distraction, or someone to talk some sense into you - anything."
I released her hands, taking one of mine and running it through my unbound waves. "I love you both, Sandrine, and I don't want to see you get hurt. Either of you." More than they already were, obviously. If Guy were in the same condition as Sandrine, I was worried for him.
"And I promise, I don't think less of you." How could I? Love as thou wilt, Blessed Elua bade us, and no one held to that precept more than a Servant of Naamah ... and now she was being asked to stifle her love for Guy. On some level, I appreciated the irony of the situation, but at the moment I was far too caught up in concern for the both of them.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 29, 2009 9:19:33 GMT -5
I repressed the urge to snort derisively. Sophine knew nothing about fear. She didn't know how scared I had been when Guy kissed me, how I wasn't sure what the expression in his eyes meant. She had used the term love, and admittedly I had turned the word over and over in my head, even using it myself a few times. Was that what I felt for Guy? Was it really and truly love, or was it just an intense infatuation?
I prayed it was the latter. Maybe I was fooling myself, pretending that it would pass. But what other hope did I have?
"I always need someone to talk sense into me, Sophine," I said, chuckling, as I wiped my eyes with my hand. It stung momentarily, and I looked at my palm to see the indentations of my nails, from when I had clenched my fists a few nights before. The cuts were still there. "If you can bear with me a little, if you can be my friend...that's how you can help."
I shifted on the bed. "And maybe..." I started, blushing, "...maybe every once in a while you can tell me how Guy is doing...if he's healthy and well, you know?"
"I'm so glad you don't blame me," I said, sniffling once, my tears finally stopping. "Don't worry, I'll get through this. So will Guy, he's strong and he has his faith." I smiled fleetingly. "I'm sorry you were caught up in this, Sophine. But it will pass."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 29, 2009 13:19:47 GMT -5
I didn't know if it was a good idea for me to talk to her about Guy, as I felt that out of sight, out of mind was a good philosophy for dealing with things one didn't want to come face to face with. Well, I would cross that bridge when I came to it, in the meantime, I wanted to comfort my best friend. I leaned forward and hugged her.
"Please, don't apologize. I want to help, I don't mind." I hoped she was right about it passing, but I had an unnerving feeling that it was more than that, that it wouldn't pass so easily, that there was more pain in store before anything was resolved.
"I'll do whatever you need me to, either of you. Do you think we should tell Guy that I know?" I didn't know my brother well enough to know how he would feel about me knowing this secret, but I didn't think he'd take it well. He was too proud to want anyone to know of what he would consider weakness. I looked to Sandrine, wondering what she would think.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 29, 2009 13:44:10 GMT -5
I accepted her hug gratefully, trying not to start crying again. Then she asked about telling Guy, and I pulled away to look at her, biting my lip as I thought.
"I'm not sure, Sophine," I said. "I don't want him to think I've been talking to all I know about him...even though I haven't. What purpose would it serve? I don't want him to be tempted to send messages through you or anything like that..." I sighed. "The last thing I want is for you to be caught in the middle of this...even though I've already sort of done that, haven't I?" I ran my hair through my curls. "Don't lie, of course. If he comes out and asks you for some reason, you should tell the truth. But there's no need to tell him, either."
I laughed a little, taking another bite of a raspberry tart. "I...I just hope you don't mind me coming through the window at odd times of the night. I'll try to keep it to a few times each week, if that's okay?" I shook my head. "I have the oddest dreams now...they sometimes keep me up at night." I decided to save the topic of those dreams for myself. If I had a brother, I wouldn't want to hear someone's fantasy about him, that was for sure.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 29, 2009 14:42:50 GMT -5
I nodded in agreement. "You're right, I think it's better if we keep it to ourselves." I chewed my lower lip as Sandrine seemed to return to a semblance of her normal self. I chuckled when she mentioned coming in the window at all hours. "Oh, I don't mind. I'll tie a scarf to the trellis if I'm ... otherwise occupied." I said, grinning. "I'm going to have to show Luc that trellis-climbing trick."
It felt good to talk about lighter subjects, but a thought occurred to me that I couldn't let lie, even if it did involve Guy. "Do you really think there is something untoward about Denis de Rouille? I don't like the idea of Guy working for someone who might be a criminal or some such." I felt a little embarrassed, after all, our talk about Denis had been more of a joke, but Sandrine's suspicions had to have come from somewhere.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 29, 2009 14:58:07 GMT -5
I made a face at the thought of Luc in Sophine's bedroom. "Oh, no, I don't think you have to let me know if you're occupied. If I come up and you're busy, then I'll just have to join in." I winked and made a kissy-face at her. "That is, if you don't mind." I chuckled softly and took another sip of ale. I would have to be careful if I was going to climb back down the trellis.
When the conversation turned back to Denis, I looked at her and cocked my head to the side. "I have no proof, Sophine, but something just doesn't add up. I would almost want to go back for another assignation so I could look around...but I don't want to see Guy again." I shook my head at the memory. "Not like that." I snapped my fingers. "Maybe you could go over there, pretending to take something to Guy, and poke around? Though...if it's dangerous...no, it's not a good idea." I threw my hands up. "It doesn't make any sense for us to worry anyway. Guy is a Cassiline, after all. He can take care of himself. And if he feels something is wrong...well, I'm sure he'll quit." In truth, all of these thoughts had gone through my head at one time or another. Using them to comfort Sophine made me feel better, but there was still some doubt and fear at the back of my mind.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 30, 2009 13:10:36 GMT -5
I threw a piece of tart at her, laughing softly. "Well I don't mind, and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Luc wouldn't mind either."
Things got a bit more serious as we returned our talk to Denis de Rouille. I nodded at her assessment, though on one point I disagreed. "I don't know, Sandrine. I mean, I agree that Guy can take care of himself in a fight, definitely. What worries me is that he seems a little, I don't know if this makes sense, but naive in ways. Plus, he's distracted, so maybe he won't notice things that he should?" I bit my lower lip, not wanting to worry Sandrine, but wanting to share my thoughts with her. "I think we should nose around a little bit, just to be on the safe side."
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on May 31, 2009 14:12:40 GMT -5
I picked up the piece of tart Sophine had thrown at me and chewed it as I thought.
"I can see what you mean about his naivety..." I said, and smiled. "After all, he likes me, and you know I'm nothing but trouble." She said he was distracted, and inwardly I agreed. Hopefully he had had time to cool off after our last encounter, but if he felt the same way I did, then it was a wonder he hadn't chopped his own finger off during his practices. "We can do some investigating...the main problem is that Denis de Rouille knows me, and while I don't mind sacrificing what is left of my reputation for the pursuit of knowledge, I don't want you to take the same chance."
I reached over and twined a lock of her hair in my fingers. "I suppose I could send Denis a letter, let him know how much I enjoyed being with him, and that would entice him to contract me again..." I didn't say how that might bring me into contact with Guy, and how I welcomed that chance, although I thought it. It filled me with an odd combination of fear and excitement. "Or you could befriend Rochelle somehow. I bet she's lonely with only Guy as company...we both know how important it is to have a female friend. If you could get in contact with her, maybe say that Guy talks about her and you thought it would be fun to spend time together..."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on May 31, 2009 15:31:53 GMT -5
"Oh, that is a great idea!" I exclaimed, seizing on what she said about befriending Rochelle. "Guy told me that she is lonely, actually. I hadn't really thought about seeing her, she's only fourteen." To my lofty seventeen years, fourteen was such a child that I hadn't even considered it. I felt a little embarrassed when I realized how self-centered of me that was. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt me to pay her a visit."
I took another drink of the ale, wiping my lip with the back of my hand taking a nibble from the last remaining tart. "What sort of things should I look out for?" I was getting more and more interested in this mystery, and thrilled at the idea of 'spying out' Denis de Rouille.
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