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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 6, 2010 1:16:09 GMT -5
I had left the palace, needing to escape. Not wanting to be noticed, I headed into the city on foot. No guards, not even Fin. As much fun as Fin was, I needed some time on my own to think.
As I had hoped, once I was into the streets, I was just another Cruithne warrior. Exotic perhaps, I still received the stares, but no one started bowing or scraping. I hadn't realized how tired I was of courtier until I was no longer among them. I headed south on the main street, and eventually found myself in Elua's Square.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 6, 2010 13:43:14 GMT -5
Life had begun to settle into a pleasant routine for me with time spent working for Aramis and the rest of the time exploring the City. I still wasn’t clear on why Pierre had moved out, but I didn’t miss his looming presence. The tension between Malabelle and Christophe was the worst thing at the house and it urged me to spend more time outside.
With a little of my earned coin, I’d bought a tiny box of chocolates. Wanting a lovely place to enjoy my indulgence, I’d gone to Elua’s Square. Taking a seat on the edge of the fountain, I smoothed the skirts of my blue dress. The sun was delightfully warm for an autumn day and, closing my eyes and smiling, I tilted my head up towards it and let the warmth sink deep inside me.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 6, 2010 15:24:30 GMT -5
I spotted a fountain, and made my way over for a drink. As I was drying off my hands on my breeches, I spotted a girl sitting nearby that looked rather familiar. It puzzled me, for I knew so few in the City, and so I looked at her longer than I probably should have. Not that she could see me studying her, she was basking in the sun with her eyes closed. And it was easy to stare, she was very pretty.
It took me a moment, but eventually I remembered where I had seen her before. The parade when I arrived. She had thrown flowers and I had caught one. I smiled and drew my breath in to say hello. But the look on her face stopped me. She looked so peaceful and happy, I didn't want to ruin it. Instead I sat down and took in the square, my eyes drawn back to her again and again.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 6, 2010 15:51:21 GMT -5
I felt like one of the cats at home, basking in the sun without a care in the world and it was lovely.
Eventually, I remembered the chocolates and lowered my head so I wouldn’t be looking directly at the sun when I opened my eyes. Once open, my eyes took a moment to adjust, spots of color dancing before my eyes. Turning my head, I reached for the little box setting beside me and realized that a man had joined me on the edge of the fountain. Glancing at his face, I met his eyes as he looked at me. For a moment I was just struck by how handsome he was, but then I recognized him.
The prince from across the straight.
My eyes darted to see who he was here with and realized he must be here alone. Escaping, much as I was. With a confidence born of my scant time here in the City, I smiled at him before dropping my gaze.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 6, 2010 16:41:06 GMT -5
Only a few minutes passed before she caught me looking at her, her lids opening to reveal crystal blue eyes. And then she smiled at me. By the Boar she was pretty. Not the overdone beauty of some of the women up at the palace, she had the natural beauty that I was used to seeing in Alba.
"Hello," I managed, her smile giving me courage to speak.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 7, 2010 15:14:27 GMT -5
His voice had such a lovely exotic cant to it; even the simple word he’d spoken seemed magical.
“Hello,” I replied, looking at him again. My hand was resting on the box of chocolates and so I removed the lid and held the box up, offering it to him. “Would you like a chocolate?”
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 7, 2010 23:16:04 GMT -5
"Oh, thank you very much." I managed not to stutter or sound like a fool, but I was positive it was only a matter of time. I didn't do well around beautiful women. "That's very kind of you," I added as I took one of the candies.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 7, 2010 23:23:02 GMT -5
“I can say they were less of a frivolity if I shared them,” I said, smiling at him again. I made myself not focus on the fact of who he was or that I was sitting here alone speaking with him; that was the only way I could keep from dissolving into blushes.
“They have bits of dried fruit in them. I love fruit and chocolate together, though I don’t get it very often,” I told him as I selected one of the candies for myself before popping it into my mouth. The creamy chocolate began melting immediately and I tasted currants and blueberries as well. My smile grew and an unbidden sound of happiness escaped me.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 8, 2010 12:30:08 GMT -5
I couldn't help but watch as she popped the chocolate into her mouth and made a happy sound. I tore my eyes away before I was staring again, and ate my own candy. The chocolate melted on my tongue, and then I bit down and cherry flavour filled my senses.
"Mmm, I can see why you love these," I said with a smile once I had swallowed. "Makes you even more generous, if you're willing to share such treats." Especially since I hadn't introduced myself. I did hope she didn't go all strange when I did. Perhaps I wouldn't introduce myself for another few minutes, and enjoy my good luck in the mean time.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 8, 2010 12:42:11 GMT -5
“Good things are even better when they are shared, don’t you think?” I asked, smiling again. “It’s always better when you can go to the person you shared it with and say ‘Remember how good that was?’. Then you not only have the memory but the bond with that other person.” Blessed Camael, where was this confidence coming from? I didn’t question it though. It was so nice to just be here talking with him. “These candies for instance, now whenever I have them in the future, I will think of being here and sharing them with you.” I offered him the box again. “Would you like another?”
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 9, 2010 0:41:26 GMT -5
I liked the thought of seeing her again, of being able to reminisce. And I didn't even know the name yet of my mysterious flower girl.
"Yes, thank you," I said with another smile as I took a chocolate that looked suspiciously like it contained a blueberry. "I think perhaps you are wise in your thoughts."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 9, 2010 15:53:39 GMT -5
“Thank you,” I said, a restrained blush escaping and softly warming my cheeks. I took another piece of candy and ate it, enjoying the flavor the chocolate and bits of orange peel created. I wished I could think of something else to say, I hated the idea he might think me boring and leave.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 9, 2010 23:40:54 GMT -5
She blushed alluringly, and I hid a smile at the sight. I waited until my mouth was clear of chocolate before I opened it again.
"The weather seems very nice today. Is it often like this?" I didn't truly care about the weather, I just wanted to hear her voice again.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 10, 2010 15:35:36 GMT -5
I glanced up, letting the sun wash over my face again and making me smile. “I’m not sure, really,” I said, looking at him once more. “I’ve only been in the city for a little while. I’ve spent most of my life in Camlach which is in the mountains. There, it’s already growing cold and we are preparing for the snows of winter.”
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 12, 2010 11:47:16 GMT -5
"We do not get much snow where I am from. But we gets lots of rain. It keeps everything green," I told her with a soft smile. "Will you tell me more of Camlach? I don't know if I will ever have the chance to visit myself."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 14, 2010 11:52:53 GMT -5
“It’s lovely and harsh at times, but even the harshness is beautiful,” I told him, my smile softening as I remembered home. “Everything is open wide and you can see so far in some places that it feels like you’re on top of everything. And the flowers, oh they are so beautiful. Fields and fields of them in the spring like a quilt taken out of the press for airing after the long winter.”
I blushed softly again as I realized how I had been going on and on about the home I had been so eager to get away from, my gaze dropping a little. “If you get the chance to see it, you should, especially if you are still here in the spring.”
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 16, 2010 1:32:32 GMT -5
"I'll certainly be here through the winter. I don't know how quickly after that I'll be needed at home." I also didn't know how much I truly liked the D'Angeline capital, but that wouldn't be very diplomatic to say. "Sounds as if you miss it. Camlach I mean. I don't know if you've ever been to Bryn Gorrydum." Damn, I was beginning to stumble over myself like an idiot. What was it about beautiful women? They tied my tongue in knots.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 16, 2010 21:06:53 GMT -5
“The City is as far from home as I’ve ever been,” I told him, feeling incredibly unworldly. “As for missing home….” My voice trailed for a moment. “I guess I do. I think I miss the space more than anything. Everything here in the city seems built on top of something else.”
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 17, 2010 17:08:24 GMT -5
I nodded my agreement. I might trip over my own tongue, but her responses gave me the courage to continue. She was real, not like the courtiers would had tried to entertain me. "Everything... is so tame here. Well, the outside anyway. The court is not tame," I said with a wry smile.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 17, 2010 23:44:14 GMT -5
His words made me smile and I chuckled. “No, I suppose court would not be tame. I have no experience at it though so I’ll take your word,” I told him. “What is your home like?”
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 18, 2010 18:22:49 GMT -5
Her smile lit up her face, and I looked away with colour coming to my cheeks as I realized I was staring again. Get ahold of yourself man.
"It's... quiet. You can stand on the cliffs and listen to the ocean. It's very peaceful. And generally no one's really feuding, so the people are very friendly. You can count on any one of them for a roof to sleep under if you can't make it home that night," I said, reminiscing. "And in Bryn Gorrydum there is always something happening in the background, something low key that you can participate with if you wish. I miss it."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 18, 2010 18:56:28 GMT -5
“It sounds lovely,” I said, smiling again. “I’ve never seen the ocean. Is it really as vast as they say?”
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 18, 2010 23:51:30 GMT -5
"Probably bigger," I said with a smile. "Though the crossing is not very far. You can see Terre d'Ange from certain points in Alba. It is west of Alba, past Erie, that the sea is truly vast. It goes on with no known end. It is a very beautiful thing. I hope that you see it one day."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 19, 2010 16:38:29 GMT -5
“That would be amazing,” I said, my eyes unfocusing for a moment as I tried to imagine what the ocean was like. It was impossible.
“I doubt it will happen though, I imagine the City is as far from home as I’ll ever get. It was a war just to get here,” I told him. Then I blushed softly again. “Forgive me, I’m sure you don’t want to hear about such things.”
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 19, 2010 17:37:35 GMT -5
I knew from watching my mother deal with people - women especially - that sometimes what people thought the least important details to a ruler were actually the most important. "Why wouldn't I wish to hear of such things?" I asked in reply, looking at her steadily. "Clearly it is important to you. The true question is if you wish to confide in me. I will not judge you either way." My mother was a bit more subtle when faced with the situation, but I could only do things the way that worked for me.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 19, 2010 17:52:32 GMT -5
“It was such a struggle for so long, that I guess I’m still bitter about trying to have my own life. It’s getting better and I should just be happy, but I guess deep buried feelings are slower to heal,” I told him.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 19, 2010 18:08:31 GMT -5
My smile didn't reach my eyes as I looked off into the distance. Her words rang too true. "Aye, they are," I agreed. "It's a wonder anyone heals sometimes."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 19, 2010 18:18:39 GMT -5
“Maybe they don’t. Maybe they just grow more numb to the sting,” I replied softly. I took the opportunity of his gaze being turned to study him, the lines of his face. I had the urge to reach out and trace my finger along the markings on his brow, my hand even rising slightly before I stopped myself. I felt my cheeks grow warm again, the blush washing down my neck as I realized what I’d almost done.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jan 19, 2010 19:59:10 GMT -5
My eyes closed in a long blink before they opened to blindly take in the square. "And how long before they start to feel numb?" I wondered aloud, my voice very soft.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jan 19, 2010 20:05:20 GMT -5
There was such pain in the soft words he spoke. I forgot about what I’d almost done as I felt an answering ache inside me. My hand moved again, on its own, this time to his hand, my fingers gently touching his.
“I’ll let you know if I ever get there,” I whispered.
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