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Post by Marie Legard on Jun 24, 2010 23:56:41 GMT -5
“No thank you,” I said as I let go of his arm and moved to take a seat on a lovely upholstered chair.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jun 25, 2010 0:04:02 GMT -5
Shrugging, I poured a glass of brandy for myself before perusing the shelves, looking for the books I wanted to give her. "Aha," I said, pulling two off the shelves. "This one is by my late great-aunt, Cherice Shahrizai, and this one is by her lifelong husband, Soren." I walked over to her, handing her the two books.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jun 27, 2010 17:29:21 GMT -5
“Thank you very much,” I said, taking the books, my fingers running over the lovely binding. “I will get these back to you as soon as I finish, and I promise to take excellent care of them.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jun 27, 2010 21:05:04 GMT -5
"Take your time, there is no hurry," I said. I fetched another, larger book off the shelf. "This is an atlas of maps of Terre d'Ange. Would you like to see it?"
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Post by Marie Legard on Jun 29, 2010 0:33:19 GMT -5
Setting the other books aside, I rose and moved towards him. "I would love to see it, thank you."
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jun 29, 2010 22:16:46 GMT -5
I set the book on a reading stand so it would be easier to read, before moving over to make room for Marie to look.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jun 30, 2010 0:17:06 GMT -5
I moved close to him so that I could see the atlases. “May I?” I asked, fingers hovering over the cover in my eagerness to open it.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jun 30, 2010 14:40:03 GMT -5
"Of course," I said, making a welcoming gesture. "Please."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jun 30, 2010 15:51:04 GMT -5
“Thank you,” I said, eagerly but carefully opening the book. I couldn’t help but gasp at the beauty of the maps inside. “Oh my.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jun 30, 2010 17:26:49 GMT -5
I smiled happily, watching her take in the book.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jun 30, 2010 23:24:42 GMT -5
My eyes couldn’t move fast enough to take it all in. “Oh Aramis, this is incredible,” I breathed.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jul 1, 2010 20:03:27 GMT -5
I chuckled. "I think you've got a bit of explorer in you," I said.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 1, 2010 20:07:52 GMT -5
“You think so?” I asked, smiling up at him before looking at the maps again. “I’ve always wanted to see other places.”
I found the spot in Camlach where I was from. “Here is my family’s farm,” I told him.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jul 1, 2010 20:17:59 GMT -5
I looked. "Is that so?" I said. I looked at Kusheth and pointed. "That's where I grew up."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 1, 2010 21:54:22 GMT -5
My finger moved to rest near his. “What’s it like?” I asked curiously.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jul 1, 2010 22:00:15 GMT -5
"Chilly," I said. "And the air smells faintly of salt. I was never lonely, though. I lived with my grandparents, and had tons of family members around."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 1, 2010 22:18:46 GMT -5
“Are you lonely here?” I asked before I could stop myself.
“Forgive me,” I said, blushing. “I speak before I think sometimes.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jul 1, 2010 22:22:19 GMT -5
"No, it's alright," I said, before answering honestly. "A little, sometimes."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 1, 2010 22:43:59 GMT -5
My hand moved a little until I could touch his gently. “I’m sorry,” I said, feeling for him. “You shouldn’t be lonely. You are wonderful.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jul 4, 2010 0:15:59 GMT -5
"Thank you, that's very kind of you to say," I said, taking her hand. It was warm and soft in mine, and I felt a flare in my belly that bordered on unprofessional. "It's hard when one lives alone."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 4, 2010 12:48:34 GMT -5
I squeezed his hand softly. “Perhaps I should make you dinner more regularly?” I suggested with a smile.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jul 4, 2010 18:03:46 GMT -5
I smiled softly. "That's very thoughtful," I said, "but I'd like it if you were my friend, not my servant. I don't want you to feel as though you have to cook for me to spend time here."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 5, 2010 1:18:34 GMT -5
My smile faded a little and I grew more serious. “I didn’t suggest it because I felt it a duty, but because I have really enjoyed this. I liked cooking for you,” I told him.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2010 15:43:05 GMT -5
I nodded. "If it is what you wish, I would be glad if you cooked here again," I said.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 5, 2010 22:50:45 GMT -5
I had meant the offer as a gesture of friendship. I really did enjoy cooking, especially in his kitchen, and I liked the feeling of doing something for him that he enjoyed. Gods knew I would never be able to afford to buy him a nice gift or anything like that.
Somehow I felt that I had made a mistake in my offer, and that I had offended him. “I’m sorry,” I said, looking down and drawing my hand back. “I don’t have to cook. I will just come and visit.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 9:08:07 GMT -5
"Don't be sorry, I'm sorry," I said, reaching for her hand again. "It was a very generous offer, I just didn't want you to feel as though it was required every time you came here. You're always welcome, whether you choose to cook or not."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 6, 2010 12:12:49 GMT -5
I didn’t draw my hand away, and his words helped, but I still felt a bit as if I’d offended him. I managed a real smile though as I looked up again. “Perhaps I shall have to do both, cook and not cook, just to keep you on your toes,” I said.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 20:07:46 GMT -5
I laughed. "All right," I said, before peering at the clock on the wall. "Goodness, it's late. Are you tired?"
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 6, 2010 23:54:31 GMT -5
“Not particularly, but I can go. You have to be at the shop much earlier than I do,” I said. I knew a dismissal when it slapped me in the face. “Thank you very much for tonight.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Jul 7, 2010 20:51:17 GMT -5
"You're welcome," I said. "And thank you for cooking. May I escort you home?"
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