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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Sept 24, 2009 18:39:22 GMT -5
"Love as thou wilt," I grumbled bitterly, more to myself than to anyone else, "don't apologize." It was a precept that I should have understood, I thought I did understand until Landis came waltzing so arrogantly into the picture with Anixiel snug on his arm. I wanted to scream out my frustrations and punch him in the face, and yet here I was, perfectly calm appearing except for my unusually tightened jaw. When he held out his hand, I stared at it for a long while, my arms folded over my chest. I unfolded them stiffly and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace of pain. Shaking a hand with a Mandrake, how fitting. I shook his hand, for Anixiel's sake and nothing more.
"It's behind us," I said curtly and put the hand in my pocket as if it were now diseased. "Who knows, we might even begin to like each other you and I, Landis," I said, though the sarcasm and disgust could not have been more evident in my voice. The image of the two of us sleeping, with Anixiel in the middle pleasantly huddled made me want to vomit a little in my mouth. As much as I could have her, I would make the most of what I could with my relationship with Anixiel.
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Post by Anixiel nó Valerian on Sept 27, 2009 9:24:57 GMT -5
I wasn`t sure at all that Sin was going to shake Landis`hand, and I winced for a moment as he reached out, thinking he might do something to cause more bodily harm, but instead, he shook his hand, and I opened my eyes wide, if only for a moment, in astonishment. He had set aside his pride, even if the anger and disgust still showed in his voice and the token words, he had done that... for me. Something I never thought he would be able to do in a situation like this. It is one thing to set it aside so I might help him with his wounds after assignations, but, this was something altogether.
I smiled, as I stepped closer to them both, no doubt beaming like an idiot.
"See, now that wasn`t so bad!" I said with a smile as I looked from one to the other. I still felt terribly selfish, like I had no right to be asking this of either of them, though I hadnt I knew this tentative and uneasy truce was because of me. I wrapped my arms around Sinclair`s neck, hugging him before giving him a kiss on the cheek with a whispered thanks, and then turned to Landis and did the same.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Sept 28, 2009 15:59:26 GMT -5
I let out the breath that I hadn't realized I'd been holding when Sinclair finished shaking my hand, willing the tension to leave my body. Anixiel seemed somewhat taken aback by the event, but we were both rewarded with hugs and kisses, which I would have liked to return if I knew Sinclair would not take issue with it.
"Well, now that that's settled," I said. "Perhaps a glass or two of wine is in order to celebrate our...reconciliation, unless there are other matters that we must discuss?"
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Sept 28, 2009 16:12:50 GMT -5
She kissed me, and she might as well have kissed a statue. I didn't move or blink, my eyes focused solely on Landis across from me. A glass of wine to celebrate? This was hardly a reconciliation, it was merely to give the facade to keep Anixiel happy. I was more than certain he could still feel the tension around us.
"Sure," I said curtly, thinking about all the reasons why I shouldn't do this. Hell, I would get back at Landis, I just wasn't sure how. Perhaps at the Midwinter's Masque when every adept was free, then I would completely dominate him. The thought made me smirk.
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Post by Anixiel nó Valerian on Sept 28, 2009 16:27:17 GMT -5
The tension was thick in the air, so thick one could slice through it like butter, and I had the distinct feeling that this truce would be shortlived, and only for this moment, or at least while I was in their presence at the same time.
"I think wine would be a lovely idea," I said as I looked from one to the other, trying to smile happily though the realization that Sinclair really was not enjoying this whole situation made me frown.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Sept 29, 2009 16:27:07 GMT -5
I smiled, turning to fetch the bottles of red and white and glasses myself. I had a feeling that the Dowayne would be less than thrilled to learn I was using it when I wasn't entertaining a patron, but I would deal with the matter when we were finished here.
I poured myself a glass of the red. "I cannot help but think that a toast would be appropriate," I mused, raising my glass. "To us, but especially Anixiel, who must put up with the tempers of two hot-headed men," I grinned and took a sip, swirling the wine around with my tongue.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Sept 29, 2009 20:56:00 GMT -5
I took the glass from Landis and lifted the toast half heartily before drinking it down. I could feel it slip down my throat and adored the feeling, especially right now in this less than ideal situation. I was tense, but I moved over to give Anixiel's hand a gentle squeeze, at least so she knew that I was alright, even if I was tense as hell. I watched Landis, more in a calculative manner than in fury.
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Post by Anixiel nó Valerian on Oct 6, 2009 10:17:21 GMT -5
I too raised my glass with a soft smile at the tentative truce they had drawn between them. Looking from a smiling Landis to a glowering Sinclair and still feeling the knot in my stomach, though it had lessened considerably, and a little bit more when Sinclair gave my hand a soft squeeze. Then I could smile, truly, because I knew him, and I knew how he was, and in his own way he was... well if not content.. he would be okay. "So um... well now that that is out of the way... we should.. get to know each other... right?" I wasn't sure if that was a very good idea or not, but I couldn't just take a sip of wine and then go to collapse in my bed with a sigh after the whole ordeal.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Oct 9, 2009 8:10:26 GMT -5
I smiled, chuckling softly at her words. "I believe both of us have already had the chance to get to know you, Anixiel, and I am sure our past history at Mandrake speaks for itself." I glanced over at Sinclair. "Apart from that, I am the eldest of three brothers, one of them, Emile, is a Cassiline brother in the Queen's service," I could not resist injecting a note of pride into that comment, regardless of his current status. "As for the youngest, Ancil, he's probably still in Camlach, no doubt drowning in drink or sleeping it off at the moment."
I shrugged. "There really is not that much to tell. Our family is not steeped in intrigue like the Shahrizai, so there's not much I can give you regarding juicy gossip."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 20, 2009 13:59:15 GMT -5
I rolled my eyes when Landis began speaking about himself, saying that the past history of Mandrake spoke for everything. It was a wonder to hear of Landis' history. After awhile, I began to think that he didn't have one, that he didn't have any family members, that he was always just some brute from Mandrake with too much arrogance for his own good. What did I know? But of course, when he started speaking of his family it only irritated me all the more. The pride that he took in his elder brother and I knew, when he got out of his adepthood, he would have a life to lead, a home to go back to.
"I'm an only child," I said simply not wanting to indulge too much. Actually, I didn't KNOW if I was an only child. For all I knew my lovebird parents could have had a mountain of children after me and the idea made me sick. "I haven't talked to my parents in years. I have nothing to say." That was my spill, all I had to give. The fact that they had both been adepts, an Alyssum and a Balm adept, no doubt was a fact I did not wish to share with the likes of Landis and at least for now, Anixiel.
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Post by Anixiel nó Valerian on Oct 23, 2009 9:39:07 GMT -5
I laughed softly at Landis, though I frowned a bit at Sinclair. I knew very little about his background, and he did not seem to like to talk about it. Maybe alone he would tell me, but most likely not with Landis present. I tried to force it from my mind for the moment as I smiled, my fingers caressing my glass gently. "Well... I too am an only child," I said with a smile directed to Sin, "my father was Siovalese, my mother was Tsingani. I don't know if my father lives," I said with a sad smile, "after he lost the house I did not hear much about him. And my mother," I said as I looked to Landis then cast my eyes down, "well she disappeared. I know not where she is or what happened," then I smiled, "and that is about it, really." I did not lead a daring or interesting life, and, like Sin, I was not close with my parents, not anymore, like I had been as a child. "So the service of Naamahis really all I have." I smiled then. "Do either of you have plans for when you have finished your marques?" I asked with a grin. It was interesting to see what others had planned for their futures.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Oct 26, 2009 22:49:10 GMT -5
I smiled. "I plan to return to Kusheth. My father will probably wish to speak to me regarding the care of the estate, but I would very much like to present my completed marque to my mother."
I shrugged. "I never did care for estates and titles, but Naamah's arts are another matter entirely. I do not think there is much demand for a Mandrake-run salon in Kusheth, Kusheline noble families regularly perform the duties of Mandrake adepts in the bedroom." I chuckled at my own jest, taking a sip of wine.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 31, 2009 22:42:31 GMT -5
Anixiel and I were the same in that respect, both coming from households that did not mix. Mine, well, Valerian, Alyssum and Balm and hers, a Tsingani and Siovalese. It seemed just a clash that I believed the two of us understood and one that Landis did not. I wondered what she saw in him other than that arrogant smile that he paraded and the amount that he could hurt her. She knew not of her parents just as I. Mayhap they were dead. I really didn't know and I really didn't care. My eyes flitted to hers as she spoke, but after, they were fixed on Landis. I kept my position set in stone, the one that I took at her side like an eternal guard dog ready to attack.
Ah of course Landis would have an estate in Kusheth. Arrogant bastard. I rolled my eyes a little but ater he was done speaking I cleared my throat. I did not know. I never thought about finishing my marque. It was just like me to get a ducat from a prince, why would I even THINK I could finish it in a conceivable time? "I don't know," I said and shrugged my shoulders. I found myself not very... talkative, but it was hard with the tension that lingered in the air.
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Post by Anixiel nó Valerian on Dec 25, 2009 8:29:19 GMT -5
I smiled as Landis explained his family situation, the estate he had waiting for him, but his love for Naamah's arts. I wondered which he would choose when the time came -- Naamah or his family, though figured he would probably choose to take his rightful place as his father's heir. Sin, though, did not answer much. "Well... it's not really what you will do but... what you would want to do once its done, no matter how outrageous or crazy it might sound. For example," I said, looking from Sinclair to Landis, "I want to breed horses and have a family," I said with a smile. "Not very likely, but still a dream," I said as I looked back to Sinclair with a smile, hoping that my frivolous dreams would urge him to say something about what he would ideally want.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Dec 25, 2009 20:32:22 GMT -5
I chuckled softly when Anixiel described her dream. "That would be my brother's dream, were he not constrained by his vows. He has a secret love of horses that he thinks his family knows nothing about." I grinned. We had work horses back at the estate. but one day I was going to buy Emile a fine gelding of his own.
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Post by Anixiel nó Valerian on Dec 26, 2009 12:03:43 GMT -5
I giggled at his words, turning my attention back to him. "It sounds like I would get along well with your brother," I said with a smile. "Do you not like horses?" I asked with a quirked brow. If he did not, it would give him and Sinclair something in common.... besides me.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Dec 26, 2009 14:58:59 GMT -5
I shrugged. "I suppose the most appropriate word is 'indifferent'. They are lovely animals, and they bear burdens well, but riding hurts my arse and the animals give off an unholy stench." I shrugged. "My brother is the one with all the luck with horses and few opportunities to maintain one."
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Post by Anixiel nó Valerian on Dec 26, 2009 16:37:41 GMT -5
I laughed softly and shook my head. "What a pity," I murmured. "And they do not smell that terrible," I teased.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Dec 26, 2009 16:56:10 GMT -5
"Indeed they do!" I argued. "Or do the horses smell like lilies where you come from?" The only thing more pungent than the scent of horses was the scent of horse dung, as far as I was concerned. I chuckled softly. "I suppose they are pretty enough from afar..."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Jan 8, 2010 19:49:37 GMT -5
Well needless to say, I felt out of place with this conversation and awkward situations were ones I found myself in constantly but ones that I did not like to dwell in. The idea of leaving Landis with Anixiel was absolutely repulsive, but she had obviously picked who she would prefer to converse with. Perhaps it was just me. It was more than likely me. I did not feel comfortable being open and it was already a task with just Anixiel in the room but with Landis... no, I would not have such small talk and frivolities and my irritated expression turned slightly solemn, but I forced it to mask itself away.
"I'll see you back at Valerian, Anixiel," I said without a second's warning as I turned to leave, giving Landis a warning glance yet at the same time, I knew I had lost her, even for today, even if I had won the fight. I did not let her follow me, not wanting her to pity me or for Landis to think I was pulling her through my strangled emotions. I closed the door in her face and headed back. I had things to do anyway.
Rather, I was sure I could find something to occupy my brain.
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Post by Anixiel nó Valerian on Jan 16, 2010 11:22:39 GMT -5
Sinclair finally spoke up and the smile on my face faded instantly. I made a move to follow, but I knew that tone, and the way he hastilly closed the door, I knew he did not wish to be followed. But I could feel the worry growing in teh pit of my stomach that he was upset with me. I turned back to Landis, a frown on my face as I looked up at him.
"I am sorry... it seems I might have... been too zealous," I wshipered. "It... well it has been a rather long day," I said with a slightly awkward but sad chuckle.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 16, 2010 11:48:14 GMT -5
I took her hand and gazed into her eyes. Hell and damnation! If she started to sob I would never be able to forgive myself for being the cause of it, and I would have even less forgiveness for Sinclair.
"Go," I said simply. "Go on, Anixiel. There will be time enough to speak later." I was already herding her towards the door. I wanted to speak tender words to her, but my temper would not allow it.
I am not angry at you, Anixiel. 'Twas not your fault. I wondered if she could see it in my eyes even if my demeanor was sending another message.
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Post by Anixiel nó Valerian on Jan 16, 2010 12:13:54 GMT -5
My eyes opened wide as he urged me onward.. to what I did not know but I would go. Maybe I could try to make sense of things with Sinclair, even if he didn't want me to. That did not mean I would not protest.
"But... I ... are you sure?" I asked as he moved me closer to the door. He was kind, and gentle, always with me, but I could feel it, see it as his absinthe eyes burned brighter, or so it seemed. "I promise to come back again," I whispered and before I left him with his thoughts, I pulled close to him and kissed his lips ever so gently. "Do not be too mad... please," I whispered before going through the door.
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