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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 10, 2008 13:45:52 GMT -5
Still feeling a bit thin around the edges, but better in general, I sat on the edge of the fountain and waited for Gillermo to arrive.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 10, 2008 14:55:58 GMT -5
On time, I arrived at Gentian. I was pleased to see Riva, and I was looking forward to working with her. She had saved my life, and so she had my trust unbound.
I was dressed in ordinary attire, and found her by the fountain. I closed the distance, a spring in my step for the cheer joy of living, and gave her the kiss of greeting.
“Well met, Riva,” I told her with a happy smile. “How are you feeling today?”
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 11, 2008 20:24:25 GMT -5
"Not as good as you, I think," I answered, unable to keep from smiling at his joy.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 11, 2008 22:03:24 GMT -5
I felt terrible. She did look indeed quite worn out, or was it just a little put out, like a candle which usually shines brightly suddenly dwindles to a small flame. It must have been the ritual, still. I smiled softly, and said, "It's all thanks to you, Riva."
Immediately, I decided that were she to come home with me, I would let her take as long as she needed to rest before we started working. Anyway, she would be more than a member of my household. We adopted into our little family, usually. She would be my right hand, and my friend, and I would protect her as fiercely as I would my own sister.
"Is there anything I can do to bring you to my level of joy, then?" I asked gently. "Surely, there is aught we need to discuss before we go in. Tell me, what is on your mind?"
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 11, 2008 23:30:09 GMT -5
"No, I just wanted to have a moment to talk to you first and make sure you still wanted to go through with this," I explained. I tucked my feet up beneath me. "You don't have to buy my marque out of gratitude or anything..."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 12, 2008 0:10:07 GMT -5
She curled up into a ball, Riva. I kept on forgetting that in a way, she was still a child - it was that wisdom of hers. It went beyond her years, and it made me forget. I sat beside her, and put my arm around her shoulders reassuringly.
"Riva, I don't have to, but I want to. I like you, and I think you and I can do great things together," I explained patiently. I smiled as I spoke, and I added, "If you don't want me to buy your marque, though, I won't resent you for it. I understand, it will be a change, a big change. But I promise you, you will be treated well in my house," I grinned, tasting the name she may yet come to bear, "Riva nó Stregazza."
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 12, 2008 0:14:31 GMT -5
The nervousness that had taken me that he would change his mind melted away and I laid my head on his shoulder.
"I haven't changed my mind," I told him. "Not at all."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 12, 2008 0:23:20 GMT -5
I let my head lean against her temple, and my hand moved up from her shoulder to stroke her hair gently. Part of me wondered if Riva had been much loved in her life, if she ever had a family. I knew she had her Aleron, and that she loved him madly, yet she seemed so very vulnerable... For a moment I remained quiet, letting silence creep in on us as the night did on the city.
"You're not worried, are you?" I asked gently. It was barely a whisper. Crepuscule was one of those times in the day that called to meditation, I found. No matter where I'd been, it had inspired awe in me.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 12, 2008 0:26:52 GMT -5
"Not anymore," I admitted. "I was. I was sure you'd change your mind and I'd have to stay here."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 12, 2008 0:34:46 GMT -5
I laughed lightly. "Woman of little faith," I said teasingly. "I wouldn't do such a thing, Riva, not to someone as sweet as you, and as talented. No," I shook my head lightly, and kissed her brow. "No, I would certainly not," I whispered against her skin. "And if you want to leave tonight, I'll take you home tonight," I added. "You don't have to stay at Gentian any longer if you don't want to."
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 12, 2008 0:37:14 GMT -5
I enjoyed the touch of his lips on my forehead.
"But what if Octavier wants too much? What if he's unreasonable?" I asked.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 12, 2008 0:45:22 GMT -5
"Riva, I have obtained the support of the Doge himself in this endeavor." I chuckled lightly. "It seems La Serenissima has vested interest in Riva no Gentian, and Emilio Stregazza's coffers are ready to complete the deal." It was often forgotten, here in Terre d'Ange, but in La Serenissima, as long as we held the Dogal Seal, I was the closest thing the serene city had to a Prince of the Blood. Not Royalty, but dogal kin. That lent me credence, and more importantly, credit.
In my pocket, I had a letter from my cousin's factor, and I could scarce imagine the Dowayne's greed could outdo the resources he had allotted. "Still, it would be best if I got a reasonable agreement with the man, and I will," I added lightly. "It is my job, Riva, to negociate with those in power. I may not be a reader like you, but nonetheless, I drive a good bargain."
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 12, 2008 0:49:45 GMT -5
My eyes went wide and I paled a little at his words. What possible interest could the Doge have in me? I was just... just me.
I drew a deep breath. "I trust you," I said honestly.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 12, 2008 1:07:28 GMT -5
"Do," I replied quietly. "The moment you bear my house name, you are part of my family. I won't let anything bad happen to you," I swore gently. I wasn't lying. There were ways to achieve our goals that would be enough out of the way, that she may not come to harm.
I continued caressing her hair, trying to soothe her. She was giving signs of stress, the way her body tensed. "Riva, I am a foreigner, but I am also D'Angeline. I strive for peace, always," I told her softly. "This is why I want your help. Will you engage in this with me?"
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 12, 2008 12:17:50 GMT -5
"I will," I said, nodding slightly and shifting so I could look in his eyes. "I promise I will always do my best for you."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 12, 2008 12:48:20 GMT -5
I didn't need to seek Riva's gaze to believe her. She had innocence in her, still, and she'd already taken great risk in her assignation with me. I did, though, smiling into her eyes. "And I promise to always protect you," I replied with the same honesty.
I grinned, remembering another promise I'd made, a long time ago. "And I always keep my promises," I added, my eyes still locked in hers.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 14, 2008 0:57:05 GMT -5
"I know," I replied, managing a wry smile. "I know a lot about you."
Feeling better, I straightened up and took a deep breath. "Do you want me with you when you speak with Octavier? I'm not certain it's the best idea."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 14, 2008 0:59:35 GMT -5
"That you do," I replied, chuckling. "Now... won't he want you there, to confirm that you accept my offer?" I asked, brows furrowed. "Or is there something I should know about your Lord Dowayne?"
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 14, 2008 12:48:21 GMT -5
"I don't have to accept your offer," I told him. "The House contros my marque and I have no say who it's sold to. As for Octavier... he...doesn't like me much and it might go better for you if I'm not there for him to be annoyed at."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 14, 2008 12:55:57 GMT -5
I think if they could have, my eyes would have popped a little. She didn’t have to accept? The horror. What if it were someone.. someone terrible who would exploit her and treat her like cattle? I felt a word of compassion. Best to get her out of Gentian at once, then.
“I understand,” I replied. “I’ll go without you, then, and do my best.” A thought occurred to me, and I had to ask. “Tell me, how good of a reader is he, your Dowayne?”
Can I lie to him, or will he know?
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 14, 2008 13:04:04 GMT -5
"He's not like me. His talent lays in reading dreams. He does have more skill reading people than an average person on the street, but that's a learned thing," I told him.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 14, 2008 13:16:56 GMT -5
“That’s good to know,” I replied. I wasn’t overly fond of the idea that Octavier no Gentian would know about the Doge’s factor letter in my pocket. That gave me some bargaining power, absolutely.
“So will you go and pack your things, then, while I take care of this little matter?” I grinned cockily. Confidence was the key.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 14, 2008 14:24:17 GMT -5
"Yes," I said, smiling - though not as confident as he was. I leaned in and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you."
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jan 14, 2008 16:54:38 GMT -5
“You’re welcome,” I replied smiling under her youthful kiss. “Now go, while I confront the big bad Dowayne,” I said, laughing at myself.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Jan 15, 2008 20:59:40 GMT -5
"Alright," I said, getting up with a smile.
I started to walk away, but stopped and flashed him a smile over my shoulder before turning and hurrying to my room.
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