A Temporary Stop: Eros, Erie and Naia

[Eros Shahrizai de Amodour]

I had corresponded with Sarielle a bit before we left, just a letter or two, she informed me that she would most likely be in and out of her home, leaving only her younger sister Naia the one that would most likely greet us.

Erie was his usually self the whole way into the City, grumbling at everything, sarcastic to the staff that rode with us to deliver us safely, complaining every time we hit a snag on our journey. I of course told him to stop being a baby, but it was Erie's way and I loved him dearly no matter what.
When we passed through the gates, it seemed to be the only time in which he smiled a little and I smiled because of it. I knew that in spite of all the grumbling, he was as excited to be here as I was.

Upon reaching the East Borough, we navigated to the Baronesse's home and as we turned down the drive I was near bouncing with excitement. When we came to a stop, I was the first one out, pushing past Erie as I beamed, looking around us as I took in the sights.

[Naia Shahrizai]

Sarielle had told me only that very morning that we were having houseguests - though if I paid any attention at all, I suppose I should have noticed all of the preparations - and more Shahrizai cousins, at that. Twins, she said, a boy and a girl near my age. I wondered if she had hopes that I would find some friends my age and my station as well. Truth be told, I was a bit hopeful as well, but also nervous. What would these twins be like? This was my home, after all.

Still I had determined to be on my best behavior, and so I had spent the last couple of days peeking out of the foyer window for strange carriages. Today was the day, it seemed, as a carriage rolled up in front of the house, and a girl practically leapt out of it. Dark hair, blue eyes, typically Shahrizai, as I was sure the brother would be as well.

Well, here goes nothing, I thought, opening the front door and walking out to greet her.

"Welcome," I said, trying to leave my usual rude, sarcastic self behind. "I am Naia and you must be Eros." I craned my neck to see the other one, the boy, wondering idly if he would be handsome and/or interesting.

[Eros Shahrizai de Amodour]

I grinned widely as Naia came toward us and introduced herself, it was so rare for me to see a cousin that didn't automatically disdain us due to the rumours they had heard. I went toward her with excitement and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her firmly with sheer excitement.
"Its a pleasure to meet you Naia." I said happily before I pulled back and released her, still baring my smile. "I am indeed Eros, and this is my brother Erebos, but you can call him Erie." I leaned over and place my hand to the side of my mouth as if I were telling her a secret.
"He doesn't like being called Erebos, so don't do it." I said with a chuckle and winked as I waited for Erie to join us.

[Erie Shahrizai de Amodour]

I exited the carriage slowly, taking my time as I took in the surroundings, partly memorizing, and partly giving my sister time to speak with out cousin. I wandered lazily over toward them and then stopped when I reached my sister, standing next to her but still a little behind her, my shoulder touching hers as I crossed my arms across my chest and leaned back in my heals. I gave a faint, flickering smile and then jerked my head in Naia's direction by way of a hello.

[Eros Shahrizai de Amodour]

I rolled my eyes at Erie; I had been hoping that he'd be a little kinder to our cousin, especially since she was so close to our age. She was beautiful too and I hoped that she would take full advantage of my brother's skills in bed. I elbowed him gruffly in the chest.
"Now now Erie, don't be rude." I said as I looked to him and then back to Naia with a happy smile.

[Erie Shahrizai de Amodour]

I scoffed and rolled my eyes shaking my head a little before hoping so that my left leg stuck out, my right leg went back and I rested my left arm against my stomach. My right arm went out with a flourish and I bowed at the waist in a dramatic fashion.
"My lady!" I said at length in a sarcastic fashion then rose, looked at Eros, gave her a look of was that better and then snorted disdainfully before I seperated myself from the pair, brushing past Naia and began to tromp up to the house.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I was enfolded in a hug before I could think twice, and I was a little taken aback by the friendliness of this new cousin. We Shahrizai were not known for our friendly demeanor, but I attempted an enthusiastic smile. "Eros and Erie." I repeated, thinking that would not be too hard to remember.

I turned to greet the brother, Erie, but he definitely had the Shahrizai attitude that I had come to know and love/hate. In fact, for one moment he reminded me of my father and I had the uncomfortable sensation that Kushiel was laughing at me. His greeting was obviously not much of one, and I suspected was meant to be irksome, but I found it a bit of a relief. It appeared that I would only be held to entertaining one of the twins, as the other one obviously wanted no part of me.

Still, I was not the type to let things pass without a little something. I watched Erie tramp up the stairs and turned to Eros, offering her my arm. "Shall we, cousin? It seems that Erebos will find his own way, but if you like, I can show you to your room."

[Eros Shahrizai de Amodour]

I watched Erie in his dramatics and then he walked off and I shook my head, my smile only faltering a little before it returned when I looked back to Naia.
"Oh yes, thank you." I said taking her arm eager. "Forgive my brother, it takes a bit of time for him to warm up to people, especially our kin. I'm afraid he's used to being teased by our other cousins." I tried to explain, giving a little bit of a sad face at that before perking up a little.
"But I assure you, despite his demeanor he does have some good qualities. He's a marvelously lover, I hope you take the opportunity and lay with him. I know he'll please you. What he lacks in social skills he makes up for in bed." I said smiling.
"I taught him everything he knows," I added proudly. "I'd be happy to lay with you as well should you desire it. Erie and I are sharing a room, but that doesn't mean you can't join us should you feel the urge to."

[Naia Shahrizai]

I blinked, opened my mouth, then clicked it shut again audibly. I was not the type of person to be at a loss for words, but I really had no idea how to respond. I was no sexual novice, but neither was I quite so open about it. And brother and sister, twins...? Well, I suppose it might make a certain perverse sense.

"A marvelous lover, hmm?" I said finally, as we topped the steps and entered the foyer. "Both of you, you don't say..." Gods, I sounded like an idiot. "Um, it's something to think about, but I don't think your brother is much interested in me that way. Or at all, actually." I laughed, hoping to steer the conversation to safer territory.

"Have you been around a lot of cousins then?" I asked, feeling a pang of envy. Father kept me close at hand, and I had never met a cousin until coming to the City. Of course, that had been some meeting, I reflected with a wry smile as I awaited her response.

[Eros Shahrizai de Amodour]

I chuckled softly as I looked at her, I could tell that she was a little surprised at my words, but I didn't care, I hadn't said them to make her uncomfortable, just to be truthful.
"Actually, he's probably more likely to lay with you then." I retorted. "He prefers that to trying to woo a girl. He's a bit lazy in that department. I always say, one day he won't have me and then he'll be with out anything. Then he'll be sorry that he didn't learn to try harder." I laughed and shook my head, remembering her question.

"Oh yes, I did, well for a bit of time." I said smiling. "When we were around ten my mother went mad and sent us off to live with her father, my grandfather." I explained, it seemed strange to have to do so, most of my provincial cousins were used to the story.
"But we were a bit of a handful so we ended up being bounced around to other family members. We stayed with Ana for some time before returning to my uncle's where we had spend most of our time. But just recently my mother died so my grandfather and uncle decided it was time for us to spread our wings.... metaphorically speaking." I chuckled.
"What about you, I don't even remember meeting you before, surely I would have remembered some one like you. Why haven't I seen you around?"

[Naia Shahrizai]

My head fairly spun with her tale ... her mother was mad? And now dead? I had a premonition that these two were going to be trouble, which perhaps should have worried me, but instead made me feel as if I had suddenly inherited partners in crime. I was willing to bet that neither of them would mind giving my sister a hard time.

"I'm sorry about your mother," I said, wondering if they were not a bit relieved, as I had been; after all, she had been mad. I shivered a bit as I led Eros toward the stairs. Madness was something I found a bit terrifying, if I were honest.

"Me?" I said, wondering how much I wanted to say. "Oh, well, my father was a bit of a recluse. Perhaps he was a bit mad himself," I added, with a mirthless laugh. "He passed away recently and Sarielle invited me to stay here. I mostly came to see what she was like, I hadn't seen her since I was a child." I didn't elaborate, not yet, but if I thought I could trust her, perhaps I would tell why I had really come, and about Sarielle's betrayal. "Anyway, my father never did spend time around other Shahrizai, so I only met more of our cousins when I got to the City."

[Eros Shahrizai de Amodour]

I could tell she was holding something back, she wasn't lying per say, but I wouldn't say anything till I knew for sure. Either way, I wanted to at least attempt to befriend her, especially since I had so few cousins that were nice to me.
"Oh." I replied, my smile faltering. "Seems like we have a bit in common." I said, then let my smile grow more fully.
"That just means that we'll get along famously." I added with a soft chuckle. "Are you as busy as your sister?" I asked curiously.

[Erie Shahrizai de Amodour]

I vaguely listened to the conversation between Naia and my sister, so far I had no reason to fault this cousin so I decided that I would allow myself to ease up on her. Kindness? No, perhaps not, but I certainly wouldn't be out right mean to her. As they walked and spoke, I would stop here and there, looking at items, picking up statues, or looked in mirrors to check my teeth. As I did this, they passed me, which was probably good because I had no idea where I was going, I might as well let our friendly cousin show us where to go.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I smiled, shaking my head. "No, actually. I mean, I have a job, but only a few nights a week. Other than that, I would say I have way too much time on my hands. I do have my ways of staving off the boredom, but it does get tiresome sometimes." We passed Erie and I forced myself not to look back and see if he was following us up the stairs. At the landing, we turned right, where I normally turned left to my room, and went instead to the guest room.

"Here you are, the best room in the house." I said, pushing the door open. The room was large, with a bay window like mine, overlooking the garden, and there were two beds. I almost snickered aloud, thinking that that was probably unnecessary. I managed to contain myself and walked over to the window, pushing it open to let some air in. "My room is just down the hall, and Sarielle's is further down. Most of the time that's where I am if I'm home."

I wondered if they'd like to be left alone to unpack, but I wasn't sure how to ask without seeming rude. Instead I said, "Would you like help unpacking?" Somehow their things had made it up here before us, and I had to admire Sarielle's servants for their efficiency.

[Eros Shahrizai de Amodour]

When we reached the room I peered into it, then looked in the directions she was gesturing when she spoke of her and her sister's room. I simply smiled and nodded, taking in the information as she spoke of her life, and thought that it was be more then likely I would get a more chances to spend time with Naia.
"Yes, please help, we'd love it, wouldn't we Erie?" I asked, stepping into the room and looking around before looking back at my brother.

[Erie Shahrizai de Amodour]

I followed lazily behind them, noting where her room was as I continued to evesdrop over their conversation, that was until Eros included me.
"What ever you desire sister." I said complacently as I watched her enter the room, leaving Naia standing at the door way still.
"Perhaps after we can hold hands and skip." I added sarcastically with a small twist of my lips, giving me a little smile as I walked past out cousin, making sure to turn sideways as I did and brush past her in a fashion that was far more intimate then normal. I kept my eyes on hers, curious to see her reaction as I let my chest brush against hers, acting as if the door way was so tight that it was impossible to walk through without having to be that close. Once I passed her I entered into the room, hands behind my back, and began to peruse it, looking for items I might be able to steal.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I couldn't help but snort derisively when Erie sarcastically suggested holding hands and skipping. I had a feeling I was going to like him, for whatever reason I seemed to be drawn to people that others were quick to dislike. Maybe because I felt like I was one such person? Whatever the reason, I noticed that Erie did not seem so standoffish as he brushed his chest against mine in the doorway. "Nice..." I murmured under my breath, so low I wasn't sure if he would even hear it.

And then he was in the room, and myself after him. "So, where should we start?" I asked, looking over their luggage and then around the room, wondering if we should just get it over with and push the beds together.

[Eros Shahrizai de Amodour]

I turned to look at Naia and smiled.
"Probably best to start with the clothing, we should hang them up right away, I don't want all my gowns to wrinkle more then they already have." I said frowning a little before I shrugged and smiled, lifting one out of the trunk.
"So Naia, what do you do for excitement then, you said you have a job, what do you do?"

[Erie Shahrizai de Amodour]

I began to wander deeper into the room, looking at everything, the windows included. I wasn't she how this... Sarielle... would run her house, I needed to know what I would be looking at should I have to escape out the window. Other then that it was a pretty typical room. I noted she put us in a room with too beds, it didn't matter much to me, I had just assumed there would only be one. Either way, I had little interest in conversing, and once again found myself simply eavesdropping as I looked about.

[Naia Shahrizai]

"Oh, I bartend in a wine shoppe in the Artisan's District," I said, walking over to the wardrobe and pulling open the doors to reveal the emptiness inside. "It's interesting sometimes, and this way I don't have to rely on Sari for money." I turned back to her and glanced at her trunks. "Did you bring a lot of clothes?" I asked, wondering if she was like me - so many dresses I rarely wore the same one twice. Erie appeared to have lost interest again, and was pacing the room like a caged animal, which made me smile softly to myself. I knew the feeling.

[Eros Shahrizai de Amodour]

I smiled and nodded, looking to Naia.
"Oh how interesting." I said in regards to her job. "No, I don't have that many clothes. I was hoping to get some designed while I was here. I'm interested in going to Eglantine, they say there are some of the best clothiers in all the nation there." I pulled out a gown and took it to the armoire to hang.
"Where do you go to get your gowns?" I asked curiously as I looked to her.

[Naia Shahrizai]

"It depends on what I'm looking for. I mostly take things from Sari's closet, so I guess the better question is: where does she get her clothes." I answered, laughing softly. It was a wonder her closet wasn't empty by now, as I rarely returned her clothes, either. Thinking of Sari, I wondered what they would think when the met her; she and I looked closed enough to each other to be taken for twins, but that I was several years younger (and dared I say, prettier?).

"Eglantine House is a good idea, though," I said, nodding. "I haven't been there myself, but I do hear great things." It occurred to me suddenly that I had been here for months and the only House of the Night Court I'd been to was Mandrake. I was determined not tot think about that, however, and forced my mind back to the task at hand, following Eros' example and taking a dress from the trunk and hanging it in the armoire.

[Eros Shahrizai de Amodour]

I chuckled softly.
"It must be nice to have an older sister that you can burrow dresses from." I said smiling as I returned to the trunk and picked up another gown.
"Thats something I certainly longed for as a child. My mother was a bit like a sister to me, but that was when I was much younger, so it was a little different."

[Naia Shahrizai]

I made a noncommital response, busying myself over her dresses. I couldn't bring myself to lie and say it was nice having a sister who had abandoned you, invited you to stay with her, and then practically ignored you when you got there. Of course, my own actions had not been very sisterly, but I chose to ignore that aspect of the situation.

"Having a big sister isn't all fun and games," I said, unable to resist saying something. "I suppose it depends on who you get."

[Eros Shahrizai de Amodour]

I chuckled and nodded.
"I know what you mean, blood doesn't mean a lot really. Its who you love that makes your family who it is." I said as I hung up a gown, stopping as I looked over to see Erie lifting up a brass ewer and eyed it.
"Put, it, down." I said as I raised a brow, looking at him firmly and seriously. He rolled his eyes and did as he was told before I turned back to look at Naia and smiled again.
"The only person I've ever really trusted in my life was Erie, but I think thats a given considering." I continued as I picked up another gown.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I looked at Erie curiously when Eros told him to put back one of Sari's decorations, and a little grin crept over my features. "Oh, if you like it, I'm sure Sari wouldn't mind if you kept it," I said, though I had the sneaking suspicion that she might not approve of my giving away her knickknacks. Well, as far as I saw it, I was simply being a good hostess.

Turning back to Eros, I nodded in my agreement, though I felt a pang in my chest that was almost a physical ache. "Well, in that case, I suppose I don't actually have a family," I quipped, though in truth the thought was more painful than I cared to admit.

[Eros Shahrizai de Amodour]

I chuckled and shook my head as I looked at Naia.
"He doesn't want it, he just likes to take things that don't belong to him. Its like a game, to him." I explained, and heard grumble from Erie from across the room.
"And not to worry, you have us now, we're your family." I said moving toward her and putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Aren't we Erie?" I added, but didn't look away from Naia, I just kept smiling at her.

[Erie Shahrizai de Amodour]

"Oh yes," I murmured sarcastically from across the room at hearing Eros' declaration, my back still toward him as I continued to look over items.
"Thats exactly what I need, another female with family issues."

[Naia Shahrizai]

I liked his idea of games, actually, though I didn't say so. I suddenly wondered if he would like the Gauche. Well, if they both would, but Eros did not quite seem the type to enjoy dive bars and drinking, but I had a feeling Erie would. I filed that thought away for another day.

I wanted to beleive that we could be family, but it was too soon for me to hope. I hadn't had the best luck with neither friends nor family, and so I was not quite trusting enough to believe they might be different. But I wanted to.

Erie's voice broke my reverie and I had to laugh, I liked the way he did not try to flatter me or say silly things he didn't mean. He reminded me somewhat of Sinclair, actually.

"Do you have a lot of those in your life, then?" I asked, quirking a brow at him as I paused in the act of hanging another dress in the armoire.

[Erie Shahrizai de Amodour]

I smirked at Naia's question, my back still to them as I ran my fingers over a vase, I wondered if I could chip off the gold inlay.
"Yeah," I said absently. "So do you." I chuckled then, glancing over my shoulder to Eros and gave her a flashing smile as she rolled her eyes at me. I looked back to the vase, looking over it once more.
"You woman, everything is such a big deal." I murmured to myself as I leaned over to peer closer to the item.