Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Sept 15, 2009 22:22:35 GMT -5
Some unknown time later, I dragged myself out of bed. He would be home today I hoped and I didn’t want him to see me like this. I went to our bathing room and washed my face, brushed my hair.
Then I returned to my vanity and looked at myself in the mirror. Taking out my case of cosmetics, I lightly powdered my face to conceal the splotches crying had given me and added a little kohl to my eyes to distract from any redness. Christophe might notice, especially since I didn’t normally wear cosmetics unless going to a fete, but all I could do was try. That done, I changed into a gown of deep red.
Taking a breath, I gathered up the presents in their boxes and went downstairs to search out some tissue and ribbon to wrap them with.
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Sept 16, 2009 15:31:59 GMT -5
For the most part I had stayed hauled up in my room, apart from leaving to continue my duties as a member of the Royal guard, and to get food or water. It was a bit odd for me, being in a place with servants, begin in Christophe's 'home', it put me on edge and I had to admit that I had lost track of what Marie and Henri had been up to.
At the moment everything seemed quiet, except when I had woken from a nap to the sounds of crying. They were faint, and I couldn't tell where they came from so I passed it off as one of the maid, girls were always on about a boy, or the hair, some little twit was probably crying over such things.
A little while later I wandered out of my room and down stair, heading toward the kitchen. Thats when I saw her, for a moment I stopped, staring at her before I could think of what to say. "Hello Malabelle." I said politely, though with a certain coldness that I reserved for my brother's co-horts. "I didn't expect to see you here; I heard Christophe leave earlier and assumed you too were out doing anything and everything to continue to ruin my family's good name."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Sept 16, 2009 22:14:12 GMT -5
My eyes swept closed and my spine stiffened when I heard Pierre’s voice. Kushiel have mercy, why on today of all days? Taking a breath I turned to face him.
“Good day, Pierre,” I said. “I was out on my own when Christophe left. He’s out on a personal issue. Is there something you needed?”
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Sept 17, 2009 22:03:43 GMT -5
"Personal issue?" I replied with knitted brows, ignoring her question. "Whored him out for the day did you?" I asked, letting my lips play with a smile. "I envy you, I wish I owned some one." I hoped dearly to get a rise out of her, it was the only fun thing to do around here.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Sept 17, 2009 23:42:39 GMT -5
My spine went icy cold and stiff at his words. “I don’t expect someone of your limited experience and intelligence to understand this Pierre, but I’ll explain it anyway. I’ll try to speak slowly,” I replied, my voice completely level and emotionless. “I don’t own Christophe. We are together because we love each other. He is tending to a matter that he will share with you if he wishes, if not then it is his story to keep. If there’s nothing you need, then I will get back to what I was doing.”
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Sept 17, 2009 23:58:15 GMT -5
I scoffed at her response and then began to move forward toward her, closing the distance slowly. "But you did pay for him didn't you?" I asked curiously. "It was your money that finished his marque was it not?" I wasn't sure if that was the case, I could have been wrong for all I knew, but it was a likely guess. "Tell me Malabelle, what's wrong with you that you get off by watching the person you love writhing in pain? If you can call it love." I raised a brow, a smirk on my face.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Sept 18, 2009 0:22:17 GMT -5
“Wrong again, Pierre. His marque was finished before we ever met,” I answered. “Your brother came to me freely. He went from being the Sun Prince at Midwinter to my bed later that night.”
I stepped towards him. “There is nothing wrong with me Pierre. Do you think yourself able to judge the gods? I am what Kushiel made me and my family. I do love Christophe and he loves me. If you had taken the time to ask about us then you would understand the things we have endured and just how strong our love is.” I closed the remaining distance until we were very close. I had to look up at him, but it didn’t faze me, I had to look up at most people. “And no matter what you think you might be able to do, you will not break us up and you do not intimidate me. I know how horrid older brothers can be and your antics are no more intimidating than a puppy with a bone.”
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Sept 18, 2009 16:53:56 GMT -5
I barked a laugh at her words and shook my head a little. "Do you really think that what you and Christophe have is love?" I asked and stepped foward as she had stepped toward me. "You must be as stupid as you look." I began to bend at the knees, squatting down a little so that I was now face to face with her. "Christophe is an adept, with no home, no name for himself, no real family to speak of. He's alone in this world, and as I look at you I see the same thing etched firmly on your face. You're just as alone and scared as he is." I said, my voice pitched low as I kept my face at her height, my nose almost touching hers; I kept my gentle smirking smile. "You must know that with out you Christophe would have no money, no prestige, no fancy house with servants....nothing. Have you ever considered the fact that he puts up with you because he'd rather pretent he loves you then be cast out into the streets?" I exhaled a derisive snort as I looked at her and then rose to my normal standing position, the smirk now cast aside for a more honest line of contemplation.
"Despite what you and my family think, I don't...." I cleared my throat, not wanting to admit that perhaps I really did love my brother despite how much I hated him too. I looked down, glancing to the side before looking back at her. "The greatest shame one could ever know in this world is staying with some one simply because its better then being alone."
Damn! Why was I even talking to her still, why was I speaking my mind truthfully and not saying cruel horrible things! I should turn and walk away right now.
"I'm hungry." I said, my voice hard as I furrowed my brows and turned and walked away from her in frustration.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Sept 18, 2009 17:04:01 GMT -5
He turned away and I laughed, deeply and filled with mirth.
“I knew you were ignorant Pierre, but I really had no clue the depth of it until just now,” I said, still chuckling. “Christophe would not be on the streets if he wasn’t here with me. In fact, I am rather certain he gave a chance to become Second and perhaps even Dowayne of Valerian someday to be with me. His life as an adept has brought him more prestige than you will ever earn in the Guard.” Still smiling, I tilted my head quizzically as I looked at him. “As for being alone, since coming to the City, you are the only one who as has been alone. Henri and Marie seem to be flourishing here, they are out enjoying the City and learning what the world is really like off that frozen mountain you call home. You are the one who spends his days holed up in his room, avoiding the world, avoiding life. What are you afraid of Pierre? Are you afraid you might find out that your brother is a good, decent man who loves with his whole heart in a way that dazzles the mind? That there is indeed honor in his life and joy in the love we share? Or are you just afraid of everything you can’t control?”
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Sept 18, 2009 22:25:47 GMT -5
I spun quickly moving toward her with speed. "Have a care for that frozen mountain you speak of Malabelle, Christophe may not care about it, but his brother and sister do, and if you cared at all about them you wouldn't do to speak unkind words about." I said harshly as I stood before her, bending once more so that my face was close to hers, my hand raised and my finger pointing into her face. "And just because I have no interest and going out side these walls to mingle with the insipid court bound fools of this city, or to lay between the legs of any whore that will have me, does not mean I'm hiding from anything. I'd truly like to see what you would be like in Camlach, if you'd choose to leave the manor's walls or if you would hole yourself up in Christophe's room." I near spate. "Just because my brother and sister are so naive they will believe anything anyone tells them, doesn't mean they're flourishing. It means they're more likely to get their pockets picked of what ever precious coin they bare." My hand went to my side, my face pressed almost right up against hers. "What you call control, I call care. You think I wish to see my siblings hurt?" I spat, my brows furrowed angerily. "Do you think I want to see the day when Marie comes home and cries herself to sleep because some slick tongued devil has slipped between her thighs and left her broken hearted?" I scoffed and shook my head. "You know as little about my family as you do my brother." I said as I pulled back a little. "It would be so much easier to hate me Malabelle, and feel free to, I really don't care if you do, as far as I'm concerned you'll never be a member of the Legards, even if you do marry Christophe. But the judgement you are so upset about me passing, about a situation you know nothing about because you weren't even there! Is the same judgement you're passing on me. What do you know about me Malabelle, what have you asked me about." I was still standing close to her, my face still close to hers, my anger still inflamed and I cared little if she was happy at goading it out of me. For a moment I took a breath and pulled back. "What honour does a Dowayne have?" I asked honestly. "Are they invited to court, given money?" I shook my head. "You were born a courtier and there fore have no idea what it means to be poor, to have to work for what you have. May be Christophe could have been Dowayne, but as far as I know, they live at the Night Court, never have children, and live a long, lonely life. I would have seriously pittied Christophe had that been his choice." I sighed and shook my head once more, turning away from her for a moment before looking back at her. "At least I respect him a little for finding a woman of birth and means and money, at least his children will not have to suffer the way me and my siblings did."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Sept 18, 2009 22:34:49 GMT -5
“You know Pierre, if you would stop being so angry and so certain I am to be hated, we could sit down and talk and you might find out things about me that would completely change your mind about the woman your brother has chosen to marry,” I said calmly. “I was not born a courtier. My parents died when I was very little and I was raised by an uncle and older brother who only paid me notice to tell me I’d not scrubbed the floors clean enough or to see how quickly they could torment me into sobbing and begging them to stop.”
My voice dropped a little. “And if you don’t want to see your siblings hurt, that should include Christophe. He loves you Pierre, he loves all of you so much.”
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Sept 18, 2009 23:05:50 GMT -5
I turned toward her and was right in front of her, my body pressed to hers in rage, my face right against hers. I felt my throat close and begin to choke off as emotion rose in me, something more then just anger, true and utter hurt and pain. I had to swallow hard not to cry, but tears still managed to bubble up and fill my lower lids.
"He does not love us!" I said harshly, my voice hard and loud. "If he did, he never would have put us through that." With that I had finished completely with her, I turned angerily and walked through the door, heading far away from her, perhaps I would do as Malabelle had actually suggested, and leave the grounds for more then just work.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Sept 18, 2009 23:16:30 GMT -5
If I hadn’t seen the true pain and emotion in Pierre, I would have let him go. Instead, I ran after him, hitching up my dress so I could catch him. I sent a prayer to Kushiel as I did that I could get Pierre to see, to understand.
Grabbing his arm, I used all my strength to pull him to a stop.
“He does love you Pierre. If you could have seen the joy on his face when your father wrote that you were coming, you’d know how much he loves you,” I insisted. “He is what the gods made him just as I am, as you are and everyone else. Camael laid his hand on you and shaped you, Kushiel and Naamah shaped Christophe. Coming to the City gave him a chance to live a life that was not a lie. Please, can’t you see that?”
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Sept 18, 2009 23:22:21 GMT -5
She came after me, grasping my arm and I turned despite my better judgement. My arms stayed hard at my side, hands clenched as I looked at her, my chest heaving slightly at the anger and hurt in my heart. I stared at her, lips clenched hard as she spoke and something snapped in me, I went toward her, my arms going to her sides as I pushed her back toward the wall. As I pinned her against it I pressed my lips to hers and kissed her, hard. Gods! I didn't even know why I was doing it, I couldn't think, I was just so angry! But there I was, her trapped against the wall beneath me and my lips kissing hers.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Sept 18, 2009 23:30:27 GMT -5
He pushed me against the wall and kissed me. I was so surprised at first that I couldn’t resist. Then my senses returned and I tore my mouth from his while at the same time I raised my hand and slapped him across the cheek, not as hard as I could but hard enough to sting.
“Let me go,” I told him.
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Sept 18, 2009 23:38:02 GMT -5
My head turned, spinning with the slap as I looked over my shoulder, closing my eyes as my chest continued to heave. After a moment I opened them and looked at her, my eyes on hers. "I'm not my brother, you won't find me being cuckolded by you." My fist slammed the wall behind her head and I pulled from her completely, striding down the hall way toward the door. As I past a table I knocked over the vase there, shattering it behind me as I walked out the door.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Sept 18, 2009 23:47:11 GMT -5
I let him go this time, my mind still trying to sort out what had happened. Raising my arm, I wiped the taste of him from my lips. I prayed that none of the servants had seen this, that word of it would never get to Christophe. I feared what he would do to Pierre if it did.
I heard the sound of hurrying footsteps and moved to where the broken vase was, arriving just as Chloe did. “I wasn’t looking and knocked it over,” I told her with a smile. I reached out and caressed her hair, feeling her lean into me. “After you’ve cleaned it up, would you please get a new one from the storage? The blue one with the white flowers please.” she nodded and began to clean things up as I turned and went to the room where I’d been wrapping gifts.
I looked at the leather belt I’d bought for Pierre, black with silver swords stitched onto it. Not giving it to him would raise suspicions, so I wrapped it as well and prayed Christophe would come home soon.
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