Discovering Beauty

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Elua, it felt so good to get out and move around sometimes. I felt like I hadn't done enough of it upon my return from visiting Caraf and Elliot at their country estate, spending more time resting from the long carriage ride. My driver had gone slow and easy, and the seats had been well padded, but even so every bump was incredibly uncomfortable.

I'd been drawn to Azza's temple today, paying my respect for the God my home province was dedicated to. The priestess had welcomed me warmly, knowing of me I gathered, but she didn't treat me any different after an initial hug. An hour at the temple and I felt more refreshed, more relaxed than I had in a long time. My time with Caraf had helped clear my head, and while I still woke in the night crying sometimes, it wasn't every night anymore. Slowly I was beginning to heal.. as much as I could.

Now I walked the park, strolling slowly, drinking in the cold, clear air that comes just after midwinter. Snow littered the ground and blanketed the trees, newfallen from the night before, and I couldn't help but marvel the beauty. How long had it been since I'd truly looked at how beautiful the world was? A soft smile on my face, I paused by a bench, the round bump of my belly sticking out a little ways. I wasn't very big for as far along as I was, but my doctor attributed that to genetics.

It was a gorgeous day.

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

I too found my way into the park that day, if for no other reason than sheer ennui. I had been in the city for three days already and had come across no sign of my old friends from days gone by. The park was pleasant however and the fresh snow captured my interest. I dipped down a gloved hand into the cold whiteness, withdrawing it and observing the small delicate flakes, each unique. I smiled at them and let them fall back amongst their brothers.

I soon approached a bench where sat a young lady several years younger than I. She drew my interest perhaps because I noticed that she was with child. I meandered in her direction.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

For all it was not early in the day, the park was still vacant enough that the arrival of someone new didn't escape my attention. Footsteps softened by the blanket of snow, I didn't notice him until he was half a dozen paces away, and a reactionary smile lifted my mouth before I even had time to think.

"Beautiful today, isn't it?" I asked, surprising myself again by speaking. It wouldn't have been odd for me to have even a year ago, but the past months... I'd spent much time in seclusion. "The snow.. it's amazing how it can change everything, and take a pretty world and make it sparkle."

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

I returned the smile and nodded. "It is. However I am partial to days like this, with fresh powder on the ground. It's beautiful...and it makes me think." I smikred at that. When does something not make me think? "Do you mind if I have a seat, m'lady?" I ask with sure politeness.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I watched as a smirk crossed his face, though I wasn't really sure what made him do it; a private joke, no doubt. Dismissing it out of mind, my smile lifted as I gestured; someone had brushed off the seats already, at least. "Not at all. I am curious though, if you don't mind my lord," I added, my gaze taking him in curiously. "What is it that the snow makes you think of?"

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

I sat down, keeping a respectful distance, but a friendly closeness. "Many things" I chuckled. "I think far too much...But usually it makes me think about time passing, death, life, how we are all unique and beautiful." I felt another speech coming on.

I managed to restrain myself by looking down at the starter of our conversation, the snow.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

He seemed open enough, his stance relaxed, his mouth like it was used to smiling. I nodded a little as I looked away, trying not to linger too much on the passage of time, of death. I dwelt too much on it, and while I knew I'd be a long time recovering, it was still.. Gods, it was beyond par to simply sit and enjoy the day. Tugging my fur lined cloak a little tighter, I shifted slightly, crossing my legs at the ankle; crossing my knees was uncomfortable, and not entirely ladylike.

"All things fade, and new is born in it's place." I smiled softly, my hand touching my stomach; I hadn't meant it as a comparison to August and our babe, but it'd come out like that irregardless. "The grass gives way to the snow, and the snow will nourish the grass come spring. It's a wonder how things work out so seamlessly."

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

It's not polite to inquire if a lady is pregnant. I knew that, however there are times when you no it is that and not the result of overeating. This young lady did not seem to be the latter type. I merely nodded to what she said. "Life gives way to life, opportunity to opportunity. When a door is closed a window is opened." I paused, "How many more months?" I asked, my eyes directed at her stomach.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Agreement was on the tip of my tongue when he asked me suddenly how far along I was, and I felt my response fade, giving way instead to a softer smile, my hand touching my stomach again as I glanced down. "Three, thankfully," I said, looking back at him with a brightness to my eyes that had been absent a moment before. "I'm becoming anxious to meet him... Or her," I added, laughing softly. "I can't quite decide what it'll be."

I hesitated a moment before offering my name; he truly was pleasant to speak to, and having a conversation was more than passingly nice. "I'm Mirielle Bellamont by the by," I offered, leaving the formality of my title off.

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

A smile came over me at the thought of new life. What would he or she be like? What is it like to be a father? "I'm sure either way it will be just as good looking as its mother."

I quickly added my name, "Guy de Mereloit." Titles are not necessary in informal meetings.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I laughed again, unable to help myself at the unexpected comment.. and compliment. "You're a flatterer, my Lord de Mereloit," I said, a touch teasing, though I didn't take his words to heart. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Do you have any children of your own?"

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

I laugh and shake my head. "I do not, though I suppose that at my age I should by now. I'm not even married." I shrug, though my mind was full of questions. Why wasn't I? Would I ever? Am I still under my vow, the army might still take me back?

"I was not flattering, simply being truthful."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

His face was a myriad of expressions for a moment; what it was that bothered him I wondered at, but I'd never be so bold as to ask. "Well, thank you," I said sincerely, my voice warm and honest, a smile on my mouth. "I'm sure children and marriage will come your way, if that's what you want of life. I'm not married either, in truth.. I was to be, but.. well. Life comes and life goes; I think that was roughly what you said."

I didn't particularly enjoy speaking of it, but at the same time it was slowly becoming easier. Besides that, I had no idea if he knew my name, or would connect it with Augusts death the past summer; the news of it had been wide spread, and even though the funeral had been at his estate in Azzalle, half the Court had attended. He'd been so well loved, by so many. "I'm sure you'll be a wonderful father, though, from the little I know of you."

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

I could face a charge of hundreds of skaldi but a compliment from a lady of beauty made he lower my head. "Well...thank you. I certainly hope so. Although if I return to service for the royal army then I will never be a father. I swore myself to chastity...the only reason I'm not currently serving is because of my leg. It will recover eventually though." I told myself that lie so much I really began to believe it. It was my only lie however, therefore I treated it like a pet.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"You were a soldier?" I queried, my expression curious once more. "I'm glad to hear that about your leg.. That must be incredibly difficult, knowing one life and having it thrown to the wind because of injury. But then again, we all have our own things in our pasts that sent our lives in different directions than intended, I suppose." Idly I toyed with the hem of my cloak; the chill was beginning to settle in my back, anywhere the sun didn't touch, and even the sun itself was weak in warmth. I craved summer already.

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

I nodded. "Yes, however I seem to be doing well in my current position." I too began to feel the cold more strongly seated. "The air is beginning to get to me...perhaps we could take a walk or find someplace warm to continue our conversation, if you want to that is."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"A warm place to retreat to sounds wonderful to me," I breathed thankfully as I stood. Habitually I smoothed my skirts out, though it was awkward now with my stomach; every move I'd been used to taking was altered anymore, I swore. My grace was dampered too; I loved dancing, was well versed in many forms, but my coordination was failing of late, and my balance as well. "Are you at all hungry or thirsty?"

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

"As a matter of fact," I responded, "I could use a bite to eat. I would have offered to help her up had she not done so herself already. I noticed her seeming a bit unstable and offered her my arm with a kind smile.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Oh, wonderful," I said, my mouth blooming in a sudden grin as I looked at him. "I'm famished. I swear I eat more now than I ever have in my life."

He held his arm out for me, and for some unknown reason it took me by surprise; I don't know what I'd expected, or if it'd just been too long that I'd been without company, male or female, my visit to the L'Envers aside. "Thank you," I added, quieter, as I slipped my hand upon his arm in a properly light hold.

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

I chuckled at that. "I hear that is very commonplace when you are eating for two. "

We walked along slowly through the soft white blanket which covered the earth as it hibernated. For my grand ability to make speeches I found it difficult to carry on a conversation with an almost stranger. "Do you have any particular type of food in mind?"

[Mirielle Bellamont]

The pace was slow, an ambling walk that suited two people who knew nothing of each other. I could tell even through the layers of winter clothing that he was a hard man, in body if not in mind, though that attested well with him being a soldier. "Anything but fish," I said, unable to help the wrinkling of my nose. "It never bothered me before, but just the smell of it now is enough to make me queasy."

The wind blew again, and I wished I hadn't caught my hair up in the dark grey caul this morn; better if it were down, keeping my neck and ears warmer. My cobalt cloak, at least, was warm, lined in thick, soft fur, though the dress I'd worn today was long sleeved, it was of a thinner material, designed to keep a chill off, but not the cold. "You were a soldier, you said," I offered as we ambled, keeping the train of conversation moving by asking him questions on himself. It was a tactic I'd learned long ago, something that had always served me well. "Have you traveled much outside Terre d'Ange in its service? I assume you served in the Khebbel-im-Akkad war," I added, hoping desperately that I was not wrong. I did not want to shame him if he'd been ordered to stay behind to protect the country while other soldiers were sent off to fight.

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

My head turned to looks at her when she asked the question. A thousand memories come into my mind. "I did, m'lady. It was after that war that I became general. That was a great series of battles for the Akkad are a chivalrous and honorable people. I was glad to find a worthy opponent." I decided to turn the tables and have her speak more. "So, what interests do you have?"

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Before I could respond, her turned the conversation back to me, and inwardly I smiled; most people enjoyed talking of themselves, especially concerning their own conquests.

"Well," I said thoughtfully as we walked, my low-heeled feet picking their way carefully through the snow, "I love dancing and horseback riding both... though since I can do neither now," I added, smiling in faint amusement, "I've taken up sewing more, and reading. Books are amazing things," I added. "What of you? Where does your interests lay, my Lord?"

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

I nodded, my face glowing partly from the cold and partly from the conversation. "Well I enjoy all manner of physical exercise, riding, swimming and swordplay the highest. I love reading books, which surprises many people...And I do love dancing though it has been quite some time since I've done it. " I smirked and kicked a fallen branch out of the path, leaving it's impression in the snow. A gust of wind whipped my dark wavy locks around a bit and I smoothed them out. The scent of food began to grow stronger as did my desire for it.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"You love dancing?" I asked, hoping I didn't sound as surprised as I felt. My eyes followed the stick he kicked out of the way before rising to glance at his again. "I don't know if I've ever met a man who truly liked dancing. I just thought it was something you did to appease a woman." The tease was in my voice again, a gentle thread weaving between my words before fading as I continued speaking. "I love swimming as well. There's a little cove near my estate on the Azzalese coastline that I favor.. Most of the coast is too rough for swimming, but the pool is protected on three sides.. it's usually quite calm."

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

I laughed. "Trust me, we would not do it if we did not get some enjoyment out of it." I looked from the path to her again, then back to the path. "Sounds very nice. Although this talk of swimming makes me wish it were summer already."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I laughed softly at that, my gaze leaving him and the path both in favor of seeking out a tavern or restaurant; there had to be something close by. "I was just thinking the same thing a little bit ago, oddly enough. Winter has its beauty, but I've always been more of a warm weather type of person. What province does your family hail from Lord de Mereliot, if you don't mind my asking?"

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

"Eisande, was my answer...I have been the Comte de Avignon for three years currently." I too began to search out a place to eat. "And what of you?"

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"My family is from Azzalle. My parents died when I was twelve, and I inherited the title of Duchesse upon my eighteenth natal." Simply put, I didn't bother going into any details. "How has the title and duties settled with you? It must be very different, going from a soldier to the role of a Comte."

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

I shrugged. "It was different, but for some reason I found the transition rather smooth. I had been out of the service for two years prior and was getting used to that life. Becoming comte means more responsibility, but many say I am well suited to it." I would not speak for myself on the matter because I always debated it too much inside my head.