Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 29, 2007 8:20:29 GMT -5
In my room, I slipped on the dress I had saved all winter. I looked at myself, oh, I looked radiant, and I felt better in it than I expected to. Trying the dress on twice over had helped me grow accustomed to it, and I was pleased with my own reflection in the mirror. For once, I had decided to let my hair be loose, merely teased into soft curls to frame my face.
On my wrist, a little golden bracelet, at my ears, some small Hellene earrings, my sole heirlooms. I had invested in looking my best for this fete. There were some people I was eager to see again, and other I simply had hopes for. All in all, though, I only wanted to have a good time. Open to possibilities was the word, and so I walked in the hall, intent on hitting a carriage, though my stride was leisurely and slow.
Open to possibility, but in no hurry. Besides, expectation is half the pleasure.
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Jun 2, 2007 4:50:40 GMT -5
As I walked slowly in the hall, a happy voice beckoned to me. I spun around, and smiled. "Well, hello Daniel," I said with a happy smile.
"Dine, you look lovely, I just had to stop you and tell you," he said softly. I walked up to him, and dropped a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you Daniel, that means a lot to me," I replied. I eyed him a moment. "You look rather dashing yourself. Are you off to meet someone at the Fete?"
"Only a few lovely peers, and maybe to steal a dance from the prettiest Heliotrope I know," he replied with a wink.
I blushed, "Now now, Danny, that is uncalled for. Maeve is much prettier than I am."
"She is," he conceded, "very pretty. But her pouting is affecting my perceptions, I believe."
I sighed. "That's too bad. I hope she'll come out to the Fete. It never hurts to be out and about. Besides, there are way to many people pouting and brooding in this house." He had offered his arm, and I took it, leaning my head on his shoulder a little. I thought of my fellow adepts. It seemed that both the lovely Maeve and the rebellious Janix were in a fix, both somber figures of unhappiness. I ached for them. I had no idea what was going on with them, but I felt sorry all the same. They were part of the family, is all.
"I always thought Heliotrope was a place of joy and light, love and abandonment. Since when are we all a group of tortured souls?"
He gave me a small kiss. "Darling, you don't let such things fetter you for long, but you've had your brooding moments. You are being tough, I find."
I looked up. "Really?" I shrugged. "I don't want to let things get to me. Although, I'll admit, I've had some lovely experiences that have left nostalgic." My thoughts drifted a moment. "You don't pout, ever, do you?"
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Jun 2, 2007 5:12:17 GMT -5
Daniel laughed gingerly. "No, I don't. Children do enough pouting as it is."
I chuckled. He was such a joy to have around, the tall caregiver. It would be a man such as he that I would hope to wed one day, caring, and calm, and lovely beyond reason. Had he not been a dear friend, I would have considered. But Daniel was a scion of Heliotrope through and through. He would never leave the house.
We started walking slowly to the hall, biding our time for I was not late to this one Fete. "How are the children? Is my baby Sacha still restless?" I asked.
"The children are fine. I hoped you would see Sacha again. She really has a liking to you," he replied.
"And I love her in return. She truly belongs at Alyssum, but other wise I would have her fostered here and request Valeraine to leave her in my care," I said a little sadly.
"Maybe you should talk to her about it. She may yet have an idea for you," he suggested. "Besides, we all know you are getting well along with her."
I gave Daniel a disapproving look at his mention of my relationship with Valeraine. "Now that is preposterous. She treats us all the same."
He back off from the subject, giving my arm a soft squeeze. "Of course, Dine, of course. I'm only teasing you. Besides, you know you have my undying friendship," he said, as he deposited a chaste kiss on my lips.
I gasped in surprise, and kissed him in return unexpectedly. "Such friends are precious," I whispered. "Now, please, behave. You may be done with your marque, but I am not."
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Jun 4, 2007 13:12:03 GMT -5
Daniel sighed in resignation. "I know, I know. It's too bad, really. If you were free, it would be so much more interesting, for both of us."
I sighed. He did have the soft spot for me, and I did like him. Perhaps staying at Heliotrope and bearing his children wouldn't be so bad? The rationnal side of me put puzzle pieces together, but my emotions were only fleeting and inconstant. Nothing powerful, for now.
"Perhaps it would be, darling," I replied affectionnately. I had no desire to hurt him. I loved him, just not that way.
We had arrived at the door, and I turned to find Madeline running to me. She gave me a large hug, and I embraced her in turn. "Have fun at the Fete, Dine, you too, Daniel," she said.
"I will, and next year, you will be coming with us," I said warmly. I kissed her goodbye, and as Daniel opened the door, I exited Heliotrope House.The carriage was waiting, and, accepting his hand, I entered it. He came and sat by me, holding my hand gently, and I let him. He would get his fill of attention from the peers, such I knew, and tomorrow, I would be all forgotten.
So off to the Fete we were, my life, for this night, a field of open possibilities.
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