Shopping, Gossip and Making Amends: Luc & Josette

[Luc Bradamante]

She pulled from me and then her outpour of words cut into me.

She couldn't have been more wrong, and I frowned, sadly.

"I was joking, about mother and father. I know they love us, each and every one of us, and would be sad to lose any of us to marriage, but happy for us if we were truly happy. I was just making a joke on the times, being sardonic. Not personal." I ran my hand through my hair as I turned to her, my brows knit together in sadness as I tried to plea my case with my sister. "I know you worry, I know you love me Josie, but I am not callous, I am not hurtful, and I never meant to hurt Raegan. And I am not taken in by just a pretty face when it comes to Sophine. She is smart, she is sweet, she is one of the most innocent little things I know. I am not setting myself up for pain or hurt or heartbreak, I am not setting myself up for anything Josie. I am just experiencing, experimenting. Is that not what we both wanted to do? Do you mean to tell me you talk to everyone you have had a moment with on more than one occassion? That there isn't someone who's company you preferred over another's? Tis not fair," I murmured, heartbroken by my own sister. "I am just going where life leads me. If another girl catches my eye, I shall pursue it. I am not tied down to one person, Josie. I promise you, I am still the same Luc. I have just found someone I like more than... more than a one time dalliance. I didn't think that was wrong."

[Josette Bradamante]

“It’s not wrong except that you aren’t even trying to experience anyone else Luc,” I said. “You go with her to everything. You’ve been with two people since we got here, I experienced that many in our first week.” I stepped closer to him, my voice growing softer. “You are missing so much. We came here to experience life, to finally have the world open to us and you are missing it.”

[Luc Bradamante]

I was a bit surprised at her confession, but happy that she still trusted me to tell me the truth. She moved closer, dropping her voice, and I wanted nothing more than to give her a hug and try to smooth things over. I brought my hand up and caressed her cheek with the back of my fingers. "I know, I know," I said just as softly, trying to soothe. "I know... she and I have gone to many events together, and the apprenticeship makes it difficult for me to get out a lot, and that might be part of it. I will try. I want to experience the City, Josie, I do, that has not changed at all. I just wish... you could see how Sophine and I interact," I thought back for a moment on our midnight romp in the water fountain and how Josie would probably laugh at it, to see me, as I am, carefree and fun, "but I do see your point, and yes, I should be getting out more, experiencing more, and I promise I will. Not starting today though, there are far more important things at hand," I said with a smile, "but soon I will, you have my word or you can rat out my dalliances to mother and father. Is it a deal?" I asked softly, my hand on her shoulder.

[Josette Bradamante]

I didn’t want to see how he and Sophine interacted. I wanted him to stop seeing her and do the things he had planned. We weren’t going to get this sort of freedom again in our lives and I didn’t want my brother to end up with regrets for what he should have done.

“No,” I said softly. “I want you to do things because you want to, not because you think I’m going to turn into a fink and run to our parents.” I sighed softly. “Let’s go home, I don’t think today is going to go well.” I felt sad, this day was supposed to have been fun and it felt ruined. Luc probably thought I was being unreasonable or silly, but I wasn’t.

[Luc Bradamante]

"Do we have to go home?" I asked, saddened by this whole situation. I know she cared but, really, my life was..well... just that. I did not interfere with hers. I shook my head. "If we stop talking about me I am sure we can make use of what is left of the day," considering I am the apparent failure, I thought to myself. I was so excited to spend time with my sister and now because I liked a girl I was losing that. It made no sense, it was not rational, but then again, since when are emotions ever rational.

[Josette Bradamante]

“I don’t want to have to spend the day not talking about you, Luc,” I said, my voice cracking a little with emotion. “I’ve barely seen you since we got here. I wanted to spend the day with you, with the person I’ve been closer to than anyone else in the world. I’ve missed you, so much it hurts sometimes.” I felt tears in my eyes and wiped at them. “I’m sure you think I’m being awful and stupid.”

[Luc Bradamante]

"No no no no," I whispered over and over. This time I placed an arm around her shoulders and drew her to me, resting my cheek on the top of her head with a soft, sad chuckle. "You don't have a bone in your body that could allow that," I whispered, my hand coming to the back of her head and gently caressing her locks. "Don't cry, Josie. Please? I miss you too. So terribly much. It is like going without a part of me. Almost as though we are twins, seeing as we were hardly ever separated. I don't want to not spend time with you, and I just suggested not talking about me because well.. my choices have upset you. You are the last person in the world I want to upset." My words were genuine, and I hoped she heard them for what they were.

[Josette Bradamante]

“It just feels like I don’t know you anymore,” I said. “Like you’ve changed so much.” I knew no girl would ever be good enough for any of my brothers and I hated this one for taking Luc from me.

[Luc Bradamante]

"But... Josie.. I haven't changed. We've barely been here long enough for me to change in any sort of fundamental way... you still know me Josie, I am still the same brother you've always had. I still want to explore, to experience, and I will, you know that," I whispered softly. I hated any discomfort between us, it always wrenched at my heart the most, morso than with our other siblings. Josie was special to me, she always would be. "I know you worry... but don't I promise, my heart will not be broken by any girls, and know that I will be flirting and cavorting with the rest of them," i said with a soft laugh. "No one is taming me that easily, dear heart, I promise," I said with a smile. It was true, although II was tryig to make her smile. I wouldn't go down without a fight, and there was no need, Sophine and I understood each other. she was new to the City too and definitely not interested in settling down with the first man she met, nor was I with the first woman, let alone any woman as yet.

[Josette Bradamante]

I wanted to believe him, but I wasn’t sure I could. He obviously couldn’t see how he had changed and anything I said he seemed to be taking as an attack rather than the concern that it was.

I stepped back and wiped at my eyes again, pulling a handkerchief from my sleeve. Mama would be so proud that I’d remembered such a thing but I had a feeling she’s be a bit upset at us for making such a scene on the street.

I didn’t know what to say so I said nothing at all.

[Luc Bradamante]

She stepped away from me and pulled out a handkerchief, dabbing at her eyes, and I frowned softly as she stood, and said nothing at all.

"I promise you, little sister. I know you feel as though I have changed, but I am still me. I am still the fun-loving brother you have always known," I said with a soft smile. "I know you are sad. And I am sorry that you are. I hate it when you are sad," I murmured, trying not to be loud and draw attention. "But... can we use today? TO try to reconnect. The last thing I want is to lose you."

[Josette Bradamante]

I didn’t want to lose you either Luc, but it’s too late.

“I don’t know Luc. I think I’ve rather ruined the day you planned,” I said softly, tucking my handkerchief back away. I just felt sad now, and for the first time since coming to the city, I felt alone.

[Luc Bradamante]

"'Tis not you who has ruined anything, Josie. I am sorry that I have upset and worried you so. It was never ever my intention." I brushed her cheek with my thumb. "If you want to go home, we can always do this another time. I would still like to spend time with you, but if you'd rather go home, I understand, too."

[Josette Bradamante]

I thought for a moment. “Let’s go sit and have a meal. I don’t want to go home, but I don’t really feel up to shopping right now,” I said finally. “I’m sorry I’ve messed up your plans Luc.”

[Luc Bradamante]

"No my sweet, you didn't mess it up," I said with smile, "and a meal sounds like a greaet idea. What do you feel for?"

[Josette Bradamante]

“Whatever you’d like, you choose,” I answered. I hoped that a little time to sit and calm down would bring my spirits up again. More of this and Luc would never want to spend time with me again.

[Luc Bradamante]

"Well, Cher Fantaisie is rather nice, a quiet atmosphere, and rather nice fair. Would you like to try that then?" I said with a smile, offering her my arm again.

[Josette Bradamante]

“That sounds wonderful,” I said, slipping my arm through his.

[Luc Bradamante]

"Excellent, it is actually not too too far a walk from here," I said with a smile, looking around. "Summer is quickly coming to an end it seems," I said with a sad smile. "but the fetes seem to live on. Have you been having fun at the ones you've attended?"

[Josette Bradamante]

“I have,” I said with a soft smile. “They are endlessly entertaining if nothing else.”

[Luc Bradamante]

"We should go to the next one together, you and I. Of course if you see something that catches your eye," I said with a smile. "Speaking of which... are the men in the City respecting you," I asked witha serious face. I was dead serious. "Because if not... you just say the word..." I couldn't fathom anyone mistreating my sister. And though I was less strict than our other brothers, I was still the closest to her, and should anyoe lay a harmful finger on her, I would be sure he would pay tenfold.

[Josette Bradamante]

My smile grew and I chuckled softly. “They’ve been good to me brother. There was one I had a little spat with, but it was mostly a misunderstanding, we worked it out.” My smile became a little wry. “They have been most accommodating with their time.”

[Luc Bradamante]

I raised an eyebrow at the one she had had the spat with. Mayhap I could weasel it out of her, but I didn't want to embarass her by hanging the man by his breeches from a tree. "Well so long as it is resolved, and to your liking," I said before catching her wry smile. I raised both my brows then and chuckled. "Vraiment Josie! My innocent male sensitivities!" I said wtih a laugh. "I should think they would be very accommodating with their time, you are a Bradamante, and a beautiful one at that," I said with a chuckle. "Not to mention you actually have a brain and are not all about your painting lessons and piano lessons and which spoon to use while sipping soup, even though you are a very fine lady," I said with a smile, pulling her closer. "Oh sister. I am glad you are having fun," I said with genuine fervor.

[Josette Bradamante]

Chuckling, I laid my head against his upper arm as we walked. “And here I thought you were going to tell me to pace myself, that I was going to run out of men soon,” I said, grinning up at him.

[Luc Bradamante]

I laughed then. "Well, hmm, at this rate you just might. Then again, with the steady influx of men into the City from the provinces, I highly doubt it," I said with a a wink. "Just don't let the line up get too long outside the door. I'd hate to have to entertain so many people as they wait to secure a date with you. You may wish to invest in some sort of personal assistance, like, a lady in waiting, to handle these things for you," I said with a wry smile. "Mayhap many ladies in waiting," I said with another wink and a chuckle. "Pretty ones... blondes and brunettes, even a raven haired beauty here or there, solely for the purpose of sorting through those who wish your hand in a dance or your company at a meal, of course," I said with a laugh.

[Josette Bradamante]

“Any ladies in waiting I might get would likely spend time waiting on my brothers,” I said, laughing. “Besides, of the men I’ve met there have not been requests for dates. A couple have mentioned the possibility of seeing me later, but nothing’s come of it. I think they think they have to say that.”

[Luc Bradamante]

"And what do you say back? 'I will have my people write missives to yours'?" I said with a soft laugh as we continued to walk, getting ever closer to our destination.

[Josette Bradamante]

“Most of the time I just say it would be nice to see them again, but nothing more than that. There are a couple I wouldn’t mind if they actually contacted me again, but mostly it’s just an experience,” I answered. I thought of those I’d like to see again and my mind went to Adin. “I visited the Night Court.”

[Luc Bradamante]

"You did, did you?" I queried. I had not taken advantage of the Night Court yet, but I intended to, and soon. "Which house did you visit?" I asked as Cher Fantaisie came into view.

[Josette Bradamante]

“Alyssum.” My smile grew sweet. “It was amazing. I met a very wonderful man.”