Contracting Geraldine: Part 2

[Decimus mab Halcyone]

"Etiquette," I repeated, though nonetheless continuing our walk, having no wish to offend her or put her in a bad spot with her Dowayne. "Too much of it could make one fall, though it would never notice so long as it didn't trip over you."

I smiled at her, the arm she had dropping down, though my hand caught hers up before we were seperated. "But then again, sometimes etiquette must be followed, no matter how trifle it seems. Supplimental caregiver, though," I said, pausing slightly on the word 'supplimental' to feel it out on my tongue, "What is that, exactly?"

[Géraldine Grangier]

My smile was soft as our hands were entwined, and I grinned as he talked, knowing he had understood perfectly what I was saying.

His hand felt large, strong and gentle. It was lovely to walk like this, at a leisurely pace, in his company. "Supplemental means that I am not their main source of education and supervision," I paused, to think on my wording. "Daniel, the man you saw, he is one of the adepts who is dedicated to this task. I am the one who sings the children to sleep, soothes their nightmares, loves them, unconditionally - but I do not teach, and I do not discipline, save with gentle words and explanations. I am one of the "mothers" of the house," I explained softly, "though I never lit a candle to Eiseth, and never bore any."

[Decimus mab Halcyone]

"I can see that," I responded after she spoke of singing and soothing nightmares. "Natural gentleness is always appreciated by the young, and I believe you are in great supply of it."

I paused as we continued to walk, then looked at her. "Forgive me if I overstep, but you do seem like you'd be a good, patient mother."

[Géraldine Grangier]

I smiled, and blushed slightly. "Thank you, I do hope to be so, one day," I replied softly, looking at him under my eyebrows.

He would be an amazing parent to have himself, I thought. He was good, honest, had natural authority, yet a kind heart. He was very close to perfection.

[Decimus mab Halcyone]

Whether she'd meant to or not, her blush was a charm, and coupled with the tilt of her head, forcing her to peer up at me from under a thick rim of lashes and eyebrows... I smiled. Charmed was only the beginning of it. "A man would be a fool to refuse you that right."

Whether or not she wanted to remain in Heliotrope was unknown to me and I refused to ask, not wishing to push the bounderies of what a patron might sk. I was new to this, after all, and she was nice. Glancing back forward, I paid attention to the hall before us, letting the silence hang comfortably.

[Géraldine Grangier]

We strolled slowly across the hall, and the brush my skirts were the only sound that distracted the overall quietness in which we were surrounded for a few instants, as I reflected on what he'd said.

A few strides later, I replied in a quietly teasing whisper, "That was a kind statement, but you should know, that mayhap I would be the one to consider whether I would bear one's child, or not, and not the other way around."

I wanted to bear children, true enough - but not at any price. I wanted a husband for myself, a father for my offspring, and what mattered the most was not station, riches, or title. It was love. I'd had two offers already, one by a patron, the other by an adept. I cared deeply about them, but was not in love - and so I'd refused to leave the House, and denied Daniel the lighting of the candle. This made me think of another man's opinion on the matter, not at any price. That was the best way I'd heard it put.

I almost, almost, asked him if he would be a fool, or not. But I didn't, the boundaries of the adept world preventing such a question from leaving my lips.

[Decimus mab Halcyone]

I sighed - I couldn't help it. Try to compliment, dodge one bad footfall and only end up finding myself tripping over a cliff instead. There was a reason as to why I enjoyed my life as a soldier and not a courtier, no matter how enticing the latter might be - and this was it.

Still, it wasn't her fault at all. Oh, no, it was solely my own, and solely on my shoulders. Her skin was soft and sweet, her body languid and graceful, and her uncombed emotions swirled over it all; much different than that of cold steel and tempered handles wrapped in a sticky gauze to keep the sweat of my palms from interfering. The sweat I had now was born inside of me rather than outside, though I did my best to push it away, focusing instead on not soothing her this time, but taming whatever tiger had awoken in her with my misguided step.

"That was not what I meant," I said softly, keeping all hints of dryness from my voice. I was well reminded at that particular moment that I did not know Geraldine no Heliotrope quite as well as I had trusted, and her admonishments, as soft and sweet as they'd been delivered, put me back into my place quite neatly. "I apologize if I offended you," I said, looking down to greet her eyes lest she think I was merely just trying to soothe her.

I really was sorry, if that was what I had done.

[Géraldine Grangier]

Poor Lord Mab Halcyone was taking very seriously my little tease, and there was just a hint of shame in his voice. There was truth to my words - mostly in the fact that I was tired of men thinking they got to choose me, when in fact, it was a double edged sword, and I chose them as well.

He'd shut me up with a kiss before, and I did the same, letting my eyes delve into his, showing him only affection that was very sincere. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but a gentle one, one meant to just tell him, I know, and there is no apology necessary.

Against his lips, I whispered, "A woman would be a goose, not to grant you such a wish." The moment I'd said it, I blushed profusely. Such words are not to be spoken to a patron.

[Decimus mab Halcyone]

She didn't answer, but surprised me by stopping us and pressing her lips to mine. I caught a fleeting glimpse of her emotion-wrought eyes before my vision left me, my lids closing as I let myself simply enjoy the intimate touch of her lips on mine. We both never would end up talking if we continued to silence one another with kisses, and I nearly gave a chuckle as she ended it.

I raised my free hand to stroke her blushing cheek after she spoke, my mirth caught between disappearing and remaining. "Are you offering to bear my children, Geraldine no Heliotrope?" I asked, fully expecting to be swatted or admonished for my comment, no matter that I hadn't meant it at all. A grin bloomed onto my face as I watched her, awaiting her reaction.

[Géraldine Grangier]

Oh, I laughed, my head tilting back, my lower body pressing into his, though I realized it only once it happened.

His jest was visible, his mirth was blatant, and it was so... so big, so unrealistic, I couldn't resist it. And so I went along with it, and replied, "Yes, the whole dozen of them, My Lord, without a doubt. Although you might have to ask my Dowayne what she thinks of it, for she is my guardian, for now," and I laughed more, because the thought of Valeraine's surprise at such a request, espescially if the dozen portion was involved.

I took my breath, and looked him in the eyes, "I wouldn't offer until the third assignation, but have no doubt that you are worthy," and I still grinned at it, because I would never do such a thing, though he was indeed completely worthy.

[Decimus mab Halcyone]

Her mirth made mine grow, though admitably the only thing that was on my mind when she tossed her head back to laugh was how her pelvis felt pressed against me, causing my own to stir. Still, I resisted the almost overwhelming urge to loop my arms around her and pull her lower half against mine, focusing instead on her beaming face.

And gods above, that was hard.

"Dozen of them?" I asked, a pleased grin on my face. "A dozen, at least. Bakers dozen?"

I teased her in return, appreciating her sense of humor among her many other appealing qualities. "I'll ask your Dowayne, that is not a problem. But lets see.. The third assignation. I could take you now for one," I said, counting off on my fingers. "The wedding would be two... And that would just leave one more."

I grinned down at her, having no doubt my eyes sparkled in mirth as hers did, though hers undoubtedly looked finer for it; it fit her, the relaxed happiness.

[Géraldine Grangier]

I laughed some more, and told him in tease, "I told you before you did not need to beg," and I grinned, laughing still, for it was all in good jest. "You are always welcome to take me for an assignation, for you have me charmed completely," I added charmingly, "A dozen pregnancies would indeed be testament to that."

I still laughed, because I would not carry his children, not unless I loved him, and he loved me... and my thoughts traveled to a humble loft on Mont-Nuit, where I'd felt loved, and had loved in turn. It was so early, for all of it...

But my patron was lovable, and that was what I'd told him, in my jest - he knew that, I thought. By many ways, I adored him, and I could not be blamed for it.

[Decimus mab Halcyone]

"I wasn't begging," I said, teasing her back. "You've already offered to have a dozen of my children - why would I have to beg?"

My grin was blatant and full, making the sun-browned skin crinkle around my eyes, drawing the tattoos up in a way fierceness was never intended to be.

"Besides," I said, guiding the both of us to walking forth again - I really had no wish to see children yet -, "I suspect that by the time our last child is born to the world I will be penniless, having spent every last centime on assignations with you."

[Géraldine Grangier]

His face was a mask of fierceness, turned whimsical, and I enjoyed very much the light that shone out of his eyes as he spoke. Oh no, he would never have to beg with me. Never.

I laughed some more, thinking if it came to that, he'd be better off buying my marque - but that was rational thought, and had nothing to do with he, and I, and the fact that we enjoyed each other's company.

"Oh, I should hope not to be your downfall, you are much too wonderful for that," I told him gently.

[Decimus mab Halcyone]

"That's because I've only shown you the charming half," I said with the same grin on my face, glancing down to her as we moved. "See me first thing in the morning and you very well may change your mind." Or on a battle field, training grounds, during an argument with another soldier... That, though, was much too heavy for the conversation here, and a side of me that I didn't doubt most d'Angelines wouldn't like. At least those who hadn't served in the war or army, anyhow, though I couldn't expect them not to understand. It was something experiance would have to teach.

"There is a problem though," I said, giving an exaggerated, dramatic sigh. "If you're to bear twelve - or thirteen - of my children without me becoming penniless, you're going to have to become rebel and sneak out of your House." I glanced at her again, giving a devilish look to my smile. "I'll be waiting out front with my stallion to bear you away. You can always tell your Dowayne that you aren't quite sure how you became pregnant..."

[Géraldine Grangier]

“Do make sure to set a time, and a date,” I replied with a mischievous grin. Oh, I knew, I looked so innocent and proper – and I was, by so many ways. But my recent little encounter with Navarre had made me bold beyond my own boundaries, and awoken some dire mischief in me. “But, please, not too early in the morning, because I need to be inspired,” I added, imitating Aaliyah’s artistic stance a little too exaggeratedly.

“Don’t worry about your children, I’ll tell my Dowayne they are someone else’s. Although... the next generation of Heliotrope adepts will be remarkably looking akin to one another,” I added, rather proud at my jest.

[Decimus mab Halcyone]

"Oh no no, that would never do," I said, casting a teasing grin over to her. "My children will have to live with me, and so will you. I'll simply have to steal you away to Alba to live and let my brother remain in Kusheth."

I grinned again as we walked, moving towards the exit. "Just imagine - I sweep you off your feet - or if all else fails, pluck you off the ground and cart you across my shoulders, and carry you off into the sunset on my faithful horse." I'd wanted to use a different word, something better to describe my horse, though what it was in d'Angeline I didn't know.

[Géraldine Grangier]

His jest made me laugh wildly, and I arched my back a little, my hand going instinctively to my belly as I fought off the mental image of myself, hunched over his shoulder, off to bare children by the dozen. It took my breath away a little, and I finally allowed it to subside, teasing him in turn.

Oh, it was almost tempting to take him at his word, and instead, I continued the jest. "Is that your plan, to have me walk with you innocently to the door, then throw me on your horse? If you tell me it's the case, I promise not to resist, though I'd love an opportunity to pack a few things..."

Oh, I adored him, and I almost wished it were no jest. A few more steps, and he would be gone, to leave me wondering about what to wear to honor him, to be the most beautiful woman he'd ever had by his side.

[Decimus mab Halcyone]

"Oh no, no," I said, grinning at her. "You'd have to sneak out, of course. Unless you prefer to go today? I could always arrange that considering we are indeed near the door."

I glanced up and down her, nodding as if to myself. "That dress would do to ride in, at least for a small while..."

[Géraldine Grangier]

My grin widened so much, my cheeks hurt.

"You are precious, so precious I'm tempted to beg you to do it," I told him amusedly. "So, by all means, go, before I make a fool of myself, and walk out of my house without as much as a spare slipper, never to return."

[Decimus mab Halcyone]

"Oh my Lady," I said, halting us before the door. "If only you knew how tempting you made it."

Taking her hand, I lifted it and bowed over it, then turned her hand over to give her palm a kiss. "Until the wedding, then," I said against her skin, then straightened. A smile was on my face as I turned and opened the door, the paused and glanced back in, my eyes twinkling in merry jest. "I'll make sure I have a spare horse hidden along the roadside after I pick you up."

With a teasing lilt to my voice, I turned and made my way out, letting the door close behind me.

I'd chosen a grand adept, and I had a feeling the wedding would turn out very smoothly for it.