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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Sept 27, 2009 2:37:11 GMT -5
We made it to the North Borough faster than I might have expected, or was it just that time seemed to slow down when one was in shock? Sandrine's words were meant to be comforting, I knew, but I only felt hollowness inside when I thought about Dyan. I could not even shed a tear, and I wondered what kind of person I was, that I did not cry for my family.
Guy was indeed out practicing forms, as he did every morning, and the sight of him was enough to constrict my heart. We had become close since he had come to the City, for he understood me far better than Dyan. As we neared, he caught sight of us, and I saw his smile turn to a frown ... he could see that something was wrong. As we drew up to the gate of Denis' house, he met us there, taking in Denise's soot stained clothes.
"What's happened?" he asked quietly, and as I opened my mouth to tell him, nothing came out, and suddenly everything went dark, and I knew no more.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
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Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Sept 27, 2009 2:44:40 GMT -5
She started to sway as she opened her mouth. I knew something was going to happen, though I wasn't sure what.
And then I saw her start to fall.
I couldn't move fast enough to catch her, and I still had Denise in my arms. Quickly I thrust the child into Guy's hands, sinking down to help to ease her descent as Sophine crumpled to the floor like a doll.
She was pale, and I rested her head in my lap, smoothing her hair away from her face. Sophine hadn't even cried, not one tear, though I had to chalk it up to shock. I looked up at Guy. "I think she's just fainted..." I said, softly, not really sure what to say, how to tell my love what had happened to his family. "Is there a nurse, you know, for Rochelle?"
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Post by Guy de Layne on Sept 27, 2009 3:02:42 GMT -5
I was practicing my forms when I saw them: my sister and Sandrine, and the soot covered bundle that I later saw was my niece. I wondered at what had them out so early in the morning, and quickly connected the black smoke rising from the west with the sooty child. A fire, and my family had been involved. As they neared, it was obvious that the news was bad, but before my sister could say a word, she fainted dead away. Luckily, Sandrine's quick thinking led to her catching my sister before she hit the ground entirely.
I held Denise, who was crying softly, her tears making tracks on her soot-covered cheeks. "Yes," I answered Sandrine, but before I fetched her, I had to know. "Sandrine, what's happened?"
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Sandrine nó Orchis
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Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Sept 27, 2009 3:08:13 GMT -5
I followed his eyesight to the smoke, then looked back at him. "There was a fire, Guy...Sophine spent the night with me, and so she was spared...Denise you see before you..."
I swallowed hard, not sure how to say it. I figured that Guy would appreciate if I said it quickly, without any florid apologies or extra words.
"As for Dyan...and the rest, as well as the servants..." I looked down at Sophine. She was so pretty like this, even though I knew her heart was heavy. Gently I twined a strand of her hair around my slender fingers. "They were inside the house. Denise was the only survivor."
I said no more, letting that sink in. It was as much as I knew anyway.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Sept 27, 2009 3:27:45 GMT -5
I could hardly believe her words ... my sister was dead? And my nephew? I did not spare too much thought for my brother-in-law, not having known him very well at all. Truth be told, I hardly knew the others, including Dyan. I had been in the City for time and she had made no effort to be friendly, despite my own wishes. Only Sophine, who had been happy to get to know me, and I was deeply relieved that she was spared. I did not think I could have borne it otherwise.
I sighed heavily, looking down at Sandrine, who I knew must not have wanted to give me such news, and then at my sister, pale and fragile-looking, too spent to even shed a tear. Suddenly something Sandrine had said registered.
"She spent the night with you?" I knew they were close friends, but was there more than that? That sudden thought was unbearable, and I prayed to Cassiel that Sandrine would not say it was so.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
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Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Sept 27, 2009 3:37:42 GMT -5
I looked up at him again. Why would he care? "Yes, we often spend the night at each others' houses," I said, combing through Sophine's hair with my fingers. It was something she liked and it was something to keep my hands busy, to keep them from shaking. "It's just something we do." Guy wasn't like Dyan, was he? I didn't think he would judge us. He knew I wasn't a bad influence, and that I would never do anything to hurt his sister if I could help it.
Denise started crying again, shaking me out of my reverie. I couldn't really do anything since I was acting as Sophine's pillow. "Guy," I said, my voice somewhat urgent, "maybe you could take Denise to the nurse?" The crying child would only upset the both of them.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Sept 27, 2009 3:51:28 GMT -5
I felt a fool at her words, realizing that I was being quite ridiculous. Besides, I knew my sister was quite infatuated with that Bradamante boy I had seen her around town with once or twice. Even in this situation, I made a mental note to have a talk with him sometime.
Denise began to cry again, and Sandrine's words brought me around. I was being a fool in more ways than one, and it was so unlike me to stand about while others were suffering. I did not know if it was grief, or just the way I often felt muddled in Sandrine's presence, but it was high time I acted.
"One moment." I said, carrying Denise quickly to the house. I laid her on the couch in the sitting room, and dispatched one servant for Rochelle's nurse and another to fetch Sophine and Sandrine. Luckily, Denis was away, probably at the Night Court, and would not complain about a sooty child on his expensive couch. I smoothed Denise's hair from her brow, whispering softly, "It's all right, love, you're safe now." The words were hollow comfort, however. Safe she might be, but she had lost her parents, and her brother. Sophine and I were all she knew in the world, now, and I was determined to make certain that I at least did not fail her.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
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Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Sept 27, 2009 15:56:42 GMT -5
Luckily Guy snapped out of his reverie and sent a large servant to help us. I had seen him before during my time at the house, and I nodded in a familiar way. He picked up Sophine like she was a doll, carrying her gingerly into the house. I walked with him, opening doors in front of him, until he laid her down on a guest bed. I made sure there was a pull for a servant if she needed it, and then came back downstairs to see about Guy. He was standing over his little niece, and I felt my heart break a little. I felt so badly for both my friend and my love, but my greatest strength were my words, and I knew that there were times when there were no words good enough.
Instead I walked over to him, looking up into his handsome face. "We took Sophine up to one of the guest rooms." I said, softly. "Are you alright, Guy?"
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Post by Guy de Layne on Sept 27, 2009 19:01:03 GMT -5
I sighed heavily, running a hand through my hair. "Yes, I think so. It may seem callous, but I hardly knew Dyan and her family ... I feel saddened, but not quite as grief-stricken as I think Denise and Sophine will be." I reflected for a moment on what I knew of Sophine's and Dyan's relationship, then added, "Though my sisters were often at odds with each other, I know that they did love each other. Sophine is headstrong, but she has a good heart, and Dyan might have seemed harsh, but she really did just want the best for Sophine."
I looked down at Sandrine, loving her all the more for being there for my sister. "Do you think Sophine will be all right?"
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Sandrine nó Orchis
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Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Sept 28, 2009 19:25:09 GMT -5
"They did love each other," I said, "despite their differences." I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that I had been a bone of contention between the two sisters. I couldn't help what I was, or how Dyan felt about me. But if Dyan and Sophine hadn't been fighting--about me!--then Sophine wouldn't have been away at the time of the fire.
It was a strange way of thinking about it, I supposed, but it was true. "I've never had a sister, but I've lived with plenty of women. Often the ones that fought the most had the most affection for each other." I sighed and looked down. "Sophine will have her father and brothers, and you, of course." I reached out and touched his arm gently. "And you both will have me," I said, smiling at him. "For whatever that's worth."
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Post by Guy de Layne on Sept 28, 2009 21:51:55 GMT -5
"Quite a bit, actually." I said, smiling at her. I glanced over and saw that Denise had fallen into an exhausted sleep. "I suppose I will have to talk to Denis about allowing Sophine and Denise to stay here." I didn't think he would object, especially since he had designs on my sister, which in itself was cause for concern. I sighed softly, shaking my head. "Is there any word on what caused the fire? And how did no one get out? That's damnably odd."
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Sandrine nó Orchis
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Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Oct 22, 2009 22:40:14 GMT -5
I shook my head, following his eyes to Denise. "No, nothing. I was barely able to get us close to the home in the first place, let alone ask any questions. The investigation is still ongoing," I said, reminding myself of the palace guards. Quietly I walked over to Denise, brushing hair away from her face. I couldn't help but feel very sad, and with good reason.
"Maybe I could go back and look," I said, glancing at his face. "I mean, I'm not a member of the Guard but I might be able to look around unnoticed." I wanted to help, and I felt that standing around here wasn't doing much of anything.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Oct 22, 2009 22:53:30 GMT -5
"No, no." I said, shaking my head. "I don't think that's a good idea. It's probably nothing, but if there is something off about the whole thing, I don't want you anywhere near it."
I sighed, considering for a moment. "Denis has friends in high places, I'll ask him to see what he can find out." He also had friends in low places, and I was willing to bet I'd get more information from those sources. "Maybe you should stay here for the time being? I mean, I don't think you're in any danger, but I would feel better if you were under a safe roof. Will that be a problem with your house?"
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Sandrine nó Orchis
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Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Oct 26, 2009 22:56:01 GMT -5
"I have a..." I paused, not sure of how to describe my relationship with Marcel. I didn't want to make Guy uncomfortable. "I have a friend in the Palace Guard. I can ask him after a few days...just to see if anything has changed. Maybe..." I shrugged. "I don't know, I just want to help."
The next thing he said really surprised me, and it was all I could do not to drop my jaw in alarm. "S-stay here?" I said, trying not to stammer. "You mean, stay the night?" I swallowed once. The combination of fighting off Denis and keeping myself from Guy sounded very difficult to say the least. "I mean, I suppose I could...but for how long?"
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Post by Guy de Layne on Oct 26, 2009 23:07:45 GMT -5
"At least until we know that there was no foul play. I know this doesn't really have anything to do with you, but the fact that you are so close to Sophine and I, well, if there is something going on that involves my family, I feel like it involves you too." I imagined that Denis might not like all these houseguests, and I certainly didn't like the idea of her being this close to him, but better here where I could see that she was safe.
"I have friends in the guard as well," I added, smiling in what I hoped was a reassuring manner, "perhaps between the two of us, we can find out something useful."
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Sandrine nó Orchis
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Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Oct 26, 2009 23:33:16 GMT -5
It made sense, as much as I didn't like the idea of being so close to the turmoil. Still, they were both my friends, and I wanted Guy to have as much peace of mind as possible.
I returned his smile, reflecting for an instant on how beautiful he really was, both inside and out, and then nodded. "I don't think I had any assignations. I'll probably get in a bit of trouble, but that's business as usual for me." I looked around. "Maybe Denis will let me stay down here. I can curl up in a corner and be as silent as a mouse. He won't even know I'm here." That way, I thought, you won't have to imagine Denis and me together.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Oct 26, 2009 23:40:05 GMT -5
I frowned slightly. "I don't want you to get into trouble, perhaps I can write a letter to your Dowayne? Or," and I couldn't believe I was saying this, "Denis will agree to pay to contract you for a few days? I mean, not really, just pay the fees so that you can stay without trouble." That would take some fast talking on my part, but I wasn't above it.
"And don't be silly, there are more rooms in this place than people, I'm sure he can spare at least one for you and Sophine." Denis wasn't exactly the generous type, but neither did he ever pass up the chance to seem as though he was, and I had a feeling he would relish playing the hero.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
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Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Oct 27, 2009 9:39:24 GMT -5
I shook my head quickly. "The...the letter will suffice," I said. If Denis did pay for me to stay there, then he might feel obligated to keep me in his bedroom the whole time. While Denis was one of my favorite patrons, I did not want to spend days and days with him. The man had an occasional violent streak, and I shuddered--both in pleasure and in fear--at the memory our last few encounters.
I still hadn't had the time to think about what the fact that I somewhat enjoyed his bursts of anger meant.
I brightened when he suggested sharing a room with Sophine. "Maybe Denise, too. I don't really want either of them sleeping alone, just in case they get upset." I looked up at him through my lashes, dropping my voice to a whisper. "Maybe somewhere close to you? I don't want Denis to be tempted at the thought of all that nubile flesh in one room."
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Post by Guy de Layne on Oct 27, 2009 21:46:17 GMT -5
The idea of Denis with Sandrine was bad enough, but I might have to strangle the man if he put his hands on my sister - and in this state! "You leave Denis to me," I said, hoping that it didn't come out as menacing as I was feeling.
I walked around to the desk, pulling out a sheaf of parchment and a pen, writing a quick letter to the Dowayne. I was nonspecific, and hoped that she wouldn't ask too many questions. Going to the doorway, I summoned a servant and arranged to have the letter delivered, then returned to Sandrine, and then to look down at my niece, still sleeping, her face black and soot-covered, her hair grimy.
"Gods, I hope that I'm just being paranoid and this was just a horrible accident. I don't know what to make of this."
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Sandrine nó Orchis
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Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Oct 27, 2009 22:54:15 GMT -5
I followed him with my eyes, watching him write the note. He made me wish I was more practical. If it had been up to me I would have tried every bit of subversion in my pretty little head. All he did was write a letter. Simple, direct, brilliant.
He was so different from me, and yet I admired him for it. I felt my love and desire for him bubble up inside me, and I shifted from foot to foot.
"Whatever it was, we'll figure it out, Guy," I said, wanting to be reassuring and strong like him, if only for a moment. Gingerly I patted his shoulder, trying to comfort him. "There's no doubt in my mind that the Guard will find something. It's only a matter of time."
I paused for a moment, then looked upstairs. "Maybe I should check on Sophine," I said, sighing. "That faint was rather frightening."
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Post by Guy de Layne on Oct 27, 2009 23:49:24 GMT -5
I smiled down at her, it was so sweet the way she looked at me with those caring eyes, and I felt a surge of contentment as I looked at her. We could never be together in the traditional sense, but I found that that made no difference in the way that I felt. I nodded, although I did not have the faith in the Guard that she did. I did, however, have faith in my own sources, so we would definitely figure it out.
"That's a good idea, I think it might be best for everyone to get some rest. I'll put Denise in with Rochelle, and you can see to Sophine." I reached down and hefted my niece into my arms, heading out of the sitting room and up the stairs, knowing that Sandrine would be right behind me.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
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A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Oct 28, 2009 0:36:43 GMT -5
I took the steps behind him, stepping aside to go and check on Sophine. She was still asleep, looking pale and weak, her chest rising and falling slowly with each breath. Carefully I climbed into bed next to her. It was so comfortable I could almost fall asleep right there next to her. That would probably scandalize poor Guy. What did he care if we spent the night over each others' house anyway? I was still somewhat confused by that.
I smiled as I looked over at my friend. I didn't feel as sure as I had sounded a few minutes ago, but I knew that the three of us, and maybe even Denis, could figure it out.
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