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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Oct 21, 2009 23:30:21 GMT -5
I polished off my dinner in my room - and Azriel, Maric, and Lilli didn't know what they were missing, it was delicious. Ah well, more for me.
Now I was bored, or maybe just restless, but either way I was pacing my room like a caged animal. I grabbed a cloak and threw it over my shoulder, fully intending on going out the front door, but thinking the better of it when I realized that meant passing the dining room - and Sarielle and Gadleon.
Instead, I pulled a trick out of Pascal's book and climbed out of my bedroom window and down the trellis. Halfway down I became aware of a creaking in the wood that was somewhat ominous, and I froze wondering if it would be better to keep going or head back up and try my luck with the front door.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 21, 2009 23:50:57 GMT -5
It was one night after I had left Balta's place and I still had not contacted him. I did not know what to say and really, I just needed to clear my head and walk. I had spent enough of lying in bed trying to sleep and now I was restless for the entire day had come upon me like a load. I sighed, running my hand through my hair as I pulled the cloak about me, more than aware that his smell lingered on it, for he had been the last to use it, the night he came to fetch me from Valerian. How ironic. I could not believe I was letting this get to me.
I was heading a bit deep on this street and was just about to head back when I saw someone sneaking out of their window. It was a peculiar predicament, really and I could not help but stand and watch... that is, until I realized who it was. The lighting was dim now, but still, I did not think I could have forgotten that face.
"Naia Shahrizai, get down from there right now!" I barked, just to startle her, for I knew that likely she was sneaking out and I chuckled a little, hoping that I did not make her fall. Well, this had surely brightened up my day. At least I was able to find her as I could not go to her work anymore. Not after what had happened between me and her boss.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Oct 22, 2009 0:00:08 GMT -5
Gods, when I heard the voice behind me, I nearly lost my grip on the trellis! Turning, I saw that it was Sinclair, and I gave him a glare and a "shhhhhh." The last thing I wanted was for Sarielle and Gadleon to come outside and see me clinging to the side of the house like a burglar.
I climbed down a few more feet and then dropped, catlike, to the lawn. I turned to face Sinclair, crossing the distance between us with a few steps. "Don't be so loud!" I hissed, propelling him down the street with my hands against his back. "I don't want my sister to come out here."
Once we were out of earshot of my house, I turned to him with a grin. "I wish you had been at dinner tonight, it was amazingly dramatic."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 22, 2009 0:05:51 GMT -5
I rolled my eyes when she shushed me and waited patiently for her to storm up to me, grinning ear to ear, despite myself. This was exactly what I needed, something to distract myself that did not leave me to my thoughts. "Yes, a dinner at a Shahrizai's, I would have loved to come," I said sarcastically and tugged her. "Come on then, if you don't want to get caught let's get walking." I did not know why there was such an affinity between us, but it felt right. Despite our boundaries, despite what we had been born into, it felt right.
"Is this the party that you were going to give your sister the Kushiel's Apples or are you too much of a coward?" I jabbed, smirking a little. "You know, I went looking for you at your work place." But I did not want to talk about that at the moment and shook my head. "Any idea where you are going?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Oct 22, 2009 0:10:25 GMT -5
"None," I said, laughing. "And no, I didn't get to give out the Kushiel's Apples, because Azriel stormed out before the appetizers even made it to the table, taking Maric and his niece with him. Gadleon discovered Sarielle's fling with Azriel and punched a hole in our dining room table ... it was quite thrilling, really." I canted my head to one side and looked up at him. "Oddly, I find that makes him more attractive, but I'm not sure what that says about me."
The other thing he said caught my attention. "Oh, at El Parra?" I smiled, adding, "I have been off the last couple of days actually, but I'm sure Balta probably mentioned that."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 22, 2009 0:18:51 GMT -5
I laughed, a real laugh, which I had not done in a long while and it felt good, but the mere picture of Shahrizais storming out and punching in tables and making fools of themselves was absolutely to die for. "I really wish I could have been there," I said with a smile playing my lips. "I think I would have paid to see that, truthfully, and I am a broke man, even if I am an adept." I did not receive much tip, though it seemed these days it was changing with Gabriel and well, Balta. I could barely even look at the sack that had been left on my bed.
When she mentioned El Parra, I stiffened a little and even more so when she said his name. I almost yelled "he's just a damned Aragonian" right at her, but had to bite my lip to keep from doing so, my eyes watering from the pain. "Yes, El Parra," I said stiffly with a grunt. "I was just there a night ago so I'm sure he has not mentioned it yet." I wondered if he would tell Naia, really and if that would affect our own relations. I hoped it didn't. She was a Shahrizai and our relationship was already rocky at best. I could not trust her but still, she was a joy to talk with.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Oct 22, 2009 0:25:46 GMT -5
I practically skipped down the street as Sinclair talked, my earlier sympathy for my sister fading as I warmed to the topic. "Oh yes, it was quite the scene. My sister looked like the proverbial doe in the torchlight! Really the Kushiel's Apples would have been a paltry trick after seeing all of that." I fished in my pocket for the little bag of candies. "That means I have some left..." I said in a sing-song voice, shaking the bag in front of him, but just out of reach.
I made a face when he mentioned El Parra again. "Oh, let's not talk work. I thought it would be so exciting, but I'm afraid working is a bit dull, to be honest." I should have taken work at the Gauche, where I at least might be privileged to watch more bar fights. El Parra was a bit respectable for my taste.
"I suppose your line of work is more interesting..." I said musingly, tossing the bag of candies at him.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 22, 2009 1:03:05 GMT -5
Ah, Kushiel's Apples. "What are you doing carrying those on your sneak outside?" I asked with a raise of a brow. "You thinking about actually eating some of your free will, hm? Having a good night out?" That was a good night out for me, definitely and she shook the bag in front of me as if I would be tempted, but I was not. I had enough back at Valerian House, though now, I felt like I could really use one, but not enough to beg from a Shahrizai.
"Good," I grumbled under my breath when she told me not to talk about work, then she started poking around about mine and I rolled my eyes. "It hasn't been interesting right now it's been irritating. Patrons liking me more than they should. I absolutely cannot stand it." I was not someone who wanted that kind of attention. No. I wanted them to do what they paid for and leave me, though two of my patrons had decided that they much preferred making love than just beating me until I was bloody. They had a better chance going to Heliotrope. I rubbed my forehead, shaking my head in frustration.
"I much prefer to be beaten than to be wooed." It was not even that I did not like the attention. I did not like how it made me feel, that was all, or the potential behind it all. "I don't know, Naia... my heads full right now. That's why I went out walking." I felt it easier to talk to her, all because I did not see her on a day to day basis. It felt... anonymous, unlike with Anixiel. I knew she would carry the knowledge with her and I would have to deal with whatever I told her. "What about you? Dally around with adepts, hm?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Oct 22, 2009 11:03:39 GMT -5
I snorted when he suggested that I was going to eat the candies myself, shaking my head. "No, no, I just had them tucked away for after dinner. I'm still going to give one to Sarielle, one of these days. Or perhaps I shall tuck it into the candy dish in the parlor, and it will be a nice surprise for whoever is lucky enough to find it?" I found that idea immensely appealing, actually.
My mention of his line of work seemed to stir him up a bit, and I raised a brow at his comments. "I think I can understand your sentiments," I replied thoughtfully. And I could - I had never been wooed, to speak of, and I found the idea oddly off-putting. "Although 'beaten' is a strong word," I said with a laugh, "at least for me." Was it? I had that slightly uncomfortable feeling again, like I wasn't at home in my skin.
I shook it off to grin at his question. "Never, actually. Since I've been in the City I've only managed to dally with my sister's lover and my boss." I laughed softly at how it sounded. "Apparently I only dally with inappropriate people."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 22, 2009 11:23:07 GMT -5
I smirked at her suggestion, "Yes. They'll probably think themselves so lucky for finding such an expensive candy, hm? Too bad they were greedy." It was the right punishment, a metaphorical slap on the wrist, so to speak. I only wish I could see these ploys for myself, but it was not like I was going to be heading to El Parra anytime soon. Never, if I could help it.
"For you, mayhap but I believe I have been beaten. I tend to enrage my patrons somehow. I can't imagine why," I said with a roll of my eyes, for I was sure, even though she had not seen that rage induced part of me, that she could probably understand where I was coming from, considering our first meet up at that bar. I was generally rude. It was just who I was and it wasn't as if I was trying to impress anyone.
I stiffened a little. Dallied with her boss? My throat was dry and I found myself unable to make a comment to show that I was okay. It was as if my brain had decided to just... stop processing. "That bastard!" I snapped, stopping in my tracks and cursed aloud as I ran my hand through my hair. "Never mind..." I grumbled, "I was merely reminded of something unpleasant." I gave her a look. 'Don't you dare press.'
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Oct 22, 2009 11:41:23 GMT -5
I snickered at the vision of some unsuspecting soul getting one of those candies. I thought Sinclair might be my new best friend, if only for that reason! I laughed again, at his next words, shaking my head slightly.
"Well, it might enrage some, but I for one like it. You are who you are, and no apologies." I admired that, actually, and perhaps some people might think I was similar, but on the inside I was always trying too hard. "If some people don't like it, well, they don't have to stick around, right?"
I blinked in surprise at his response to my mention of dalliances - and to just whom was he referring, Balta or Gadleon? Either would be quite the surprise, although I supposed Balta less so; just because we spent time together didn't mean I knew everything about him, after all. And Sinclair did say he had been to El Parra looking for me... a slow grin spread over my lips at the thought, though Sinclair admitted nothing.
"Don't press? Really, it's rather sadistic of you to say something so intriguing and then not to elaborate." I was teasing, but actually I would have dearly loved some explanation!
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 22, 2009 16:45:32 GMT -5
"Mm... yes and the first time I gave you a Kushiel's Apple you wanted to throttle me if not for my charm," I taunted and signaled for her to pull the bag out. "Come on, let's see who can keep one in their mouth the longest." I knew that that wasn't a fair competition that I had posed, for I adored the pain that it gave and the same had not been the case for her when we met at the bar.
"Well I did not INTEND to say it. I merely could not help it when you mentioned... him," I said with a scowl. I at least had the security of knowing that she not know whether it was her sister's lover or her boss, though the odds were a bit against me for surely she could just ASK her sister's lover if he had been to Valerian. It was not like that would be odd and well, it was breaking the whole discreet nature of it if she asked Baltasar, for he would realize that I had told Naia his secret, one that would be detrimental if it ever got back to Aragonia. I could not have her asking. Not only that, I had already mentioned that I had gone to El Parra the night before looking for her.
I grabbed her arm in a tight hold, not releasing her. "You... You can't tell him I told you, okay? I swore that it would be a secret kept in Valerian house." I cursed, letting her go with a sigh. "Baltasar de Cordova... I went to El Parra looking for you and it was closing already and... well, he told me his curiosities of bedding a man and... I told him to go to Valerian House because we're discreet. He didn't know I was an adept and then Trinette called a DAMNED line up and... well, you can see where this is going." I grunted a little, "Elua's balls I can't stand him."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Oct 22, 2009 22:06:11 GMT -5
I was about to reply about his idea of a game, when he grabbed my arm and spoke in almost frantic tones. His words washed over me and though it wasn't my nature to be jealous, I did have to admit to a certain amount of it at his words. Balta and Sinclair? It never would have crossed my mind, and I wasn't sure I liked the picture. But like I always said, knowledge was power, no matter the price. So I kept my feelings to myself and wrenched my arm out of his grasp.
"You've nothing to fear from me, Sin. I'm not the type to wag my tongue, and I certainly won't go carrying tales to my boss of all people." I wished I hadn't mentioned that Balta and I had been intimate, because that made it a bit harder to pretend that he was nothing more than my employer. I was interested in the fact that Sin didn't seem to care for Balta, though, so I raised a brow and asked, "What was so bad about him? He seems nice enough."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 23, 2009 11:17:27 GMT -5
"Yes but you may use it against me or him at some point," I said bitterly, wishing that I had not told her instantly, but I knew that I had to. She likely would have asked Baltasar about it and that would have been even worse. He hated me as it was, I was more than certain. And she had slept with him. I guessed that it made sense, we were a lot alike, she and I, and she was free and a female. I rubbed my neck as a sign of frustration but did not let any emotion pass through my face. I did not need her to use anything else against me.
"He's nice but that doesn't mean anything," I said looking over at her. "You're not nice that's why we get along." I did not mean it in a harsh way, more along the lines of where she was mischievous and was not an attached person, did not expect anything of me and I expected nothing of her. "He expected things of me that I cannot give him and I said this explicitly before he even contracted me. He did not raise a whip at me and tried to get me to be affectionate. So I left. It was a waste of my time." I shrugged my shoulders. I did not need a whip in everything I did, but it drowned out other things I may have been feeling. "He was an idiot for not contracting another adept. I had warned him thoroughly. I cannot stand idiocy... he... he assumes too much and that has to do with his "niceness" I suppose. I don't get along with nice people, that's all."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Oct 23, 2009 23:00:06 GMT -5
"Me? Use it against you?" I tried to sound affronted, but he was right, so it was likely unconvincing. I couldn't think of any reason I would need to use the information against Sin or Balta, but of course one never knew.
The things that Sin said about Balta rang true of the man I knew and I had to smile. "Yes, I'm not sure what got into him, choosing you of all people." It wasn't meant to offend, of course, just that they did not seem a likely match. "Balta is quite the romantic, in my opinion, perhaps he thinks he can turn you from a life of beatings in Naamah's service with love and kindness." I laughed a bit at the thought. "A foolish hope, at best."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 24, 2009 14:44:09 GMT -5
"Yes you," I said with a smirk. We were one in the same and if I knew her like I felt I knew her, then I knew she would hold it, just for extra measure as a defensive tool. Having a weakness or a tidbit of information tucked away for the future was something I always had and my dark eyes were half lidded as I watched her. I knew, even though she did not say it. "Mayhap it even has nothing to do with your Shahrizai nature... but I know."
I nodded in agreement, her words not offending me in the least. "Yes, I wonder indeed," I said dryly, unable to think of what. "I think he was amused when I told him to go to Valerian and he realized I was an adept when I said I 'frequented,'" I said with a drawl, hating myself for that past situation. "Or it could be that I was drunk. I wasn't entirely myself for the situation." A bit more... relaxed and sensual, I guessed, but that was why I didn't get drunk. "Indeed. I tried telling him it was hopeless but he kept pushing and I got annoyed. There's only so many times you can shove me into a wall before I want to kick you in the groin," I said with a smirk.
"He was irritating, to say the least." And charming. Though I would not let her know that part of it.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Oct 24, 2009 18:49:38 GMT -5
"Ah well, drink has made a fool of many a man," I said, laughing softly. "And woman, of course. Perhaps it is about time for a few?" After tonight's disastrous dinner, I was in the mood to celebrate.
"Back to Balta..." I said, grinning at Sin, "You should be nice to him, I bet he would make a great returning patron. Imagine all of the lovemaking you two can do." I snickered at the thought, then pulled to candies out of the bag, handing one to him.
"All right, let's do it..." I said, unwrapping one and holding it up. "The person who keeps it in their mouth the longest buys the first round of drinks."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 25, 2009 13:32:11 GMT -5
Time for a drink? Well I supposed it wouldn't hurt as long as I watched how much I did drink, unlike with Balta's never ending wine bottle, though I did not think I would have to worry about that tonight. After all, it was not like I enjoyed paying money for frivolous things like a drink. "I suppose, I think we both need it tonight," I said with a light smirk. It just seemed like it was time.
I felt myself bristle at her next words and scowled, "Love making!?" I spat, shaking my head. "You are acting like you get to watch..." I sounded absolutely disgusted and I was, a little, by the audacity of her words, "I am not looking for somebody to make love with."
I got the candy from her and quickly unwrapped mine, showing a form of ease as I did so. I had done it many times and I did not know how Naia could think she could possibly beat me when I popped the candies in my mouth like it was nothing. "Well you're buying then," I said and put it into my mouth, delighting at the flavor. It was just what I needed.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Oct 25, 2009 19:31:44 GMT -5
I figured I probably was going to be buying, these candies were infernally spicy, but it was fun to try, so I followed his example, popping the candy into my mouth. Gods, but it was only a moment and my eyes were already watering while Sin looked as if he were enjoying nothing more than a chocolate!
Still, being prepared, I managed to keep it in my mouth for almost an entire minute before I coughed it into my palm, near choking. "Ugh, how do you DO that?" I exclaimed, wiping the tears from my eyes. "I only like these for the aftertaste..." I muttered, looking at the sticky mess in my hand critically. "You really enjoy these?"
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 25, 2009 19:40:02 GMT -5
I grinned at Naia as her eyes began to water over and she looked like she wanted to choke. Ah, yes. Well at least I had a free drink and had earned it, instead of feeling indebted to her. I let out a laugh as soon as she spat it out, "I do..." I shrugged my shoulders. Even some Valerians couldn't handle it, but I could. "You learn to appreciate the bite, because without it, you wouldn't have the sweet release afterward. It hurts, yes, but you look forward for what is to come." I smirked. "Alangora is something, huh? I'm sure the one she made for you is a lot better suited."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Oct 25, 2009 20:15:45 GMT -5
I almost shuddered at the very mention of Kusheth's Gem. "Yes, far more..." Gods, that candy was like a drug, and I remembered belatedly that I had some of those on me as well. I found one and slid it into my mouth with an almost audible sigh of relief. It was a mark of how well I liked them that I did not even consider offering him one.
"So, Night's Doorstep, then?" I said, grinning. "I feel like tonight is the perfect night to go out and find some trouble." I was practically skipping down the street, my mood elevated at the prospect of a drink, and mayhap a brawl, as Sin seemed to rub people the wrong way.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Oct 25, 2009 20:23:11 GMT -5
She popped one in her mouth and I shrugged my shoulders, not caring that she did not offer me one. She had give me what was meant for me and that was good enough. I would not have enjoyed it as she did, anyway. "Night's Doorstep it is," I said with a nod. Ah trouble. Just the thing I was looking for to make myself feel a little better. I trailed after her. She seemed way too cheerful to be what I knew she was.
"You seem hopeful for tonight," I laughed.
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