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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 20, 2010 0:24:37 GMT -5
After much evasion, Guy had finally put his foot down: he wanted to meet Erie. I wasn't sure how I felt about that, only that I cared more for Erie than anyone I had met before, and I did not want Guy to come along with a stern face and brotherly "warnings." At first I had been afraid he would frighten Erie off, but now I knew better. Erie was not the type to be scared away by an elder brother, so when Guy insisted, I relented.
However, I wanted the meeting on my terms, so I suggested a nice dinner out. For one thing, though I had recently moved back into Dyan's rebuilt house, I hadn't the staff yet to host a dinner, and I certainly wasn't up to cooking it myself. For another, I surely did not want to have Denis lurking about if we went to Guy's abode. Erie and his sister were staying with someone, and so this seemed the best solution.
I had gotten here first, hoping that Erie would arrive before Guy and that the entire evening would go smoothly.
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Post by Erie Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 20, 2010 0:39:04 GMT -5
I knew this was an important night, so I made sure that I was looking my best, dressed my best, and on time; I even let Eros buy me a new doublet to wear. When I arrived I looked for Sophine, and the moment I spotted her I went straight to her, slipping an arm around her waist gently as I kissed her forehead. "Evening." I said then in my usual taciturn tone.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Apr 20, 2010 1:22:26 GMT -5
I had finally gotten Sophine to introduce me to this new beau of hers, whom she was obviously quite taken with. I wondered why she had been so reticent to speak of him, as of yet I did not even know the man's name. It made me think that he was up to no good, why else was she so secretive?
Well, the moment of truth had arrived, and I had come to Casa Abuelita at the time she specified. I saw her, seated with a young man that must be her mystery suitor. I took in his blue-black hair and I knew immediately why she had kept him a secret. Interesting.
I approached the table and nodded to my sister and her beau. "Good evening, Sophine." I waited graciously for her to introduce us.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 20, 2010 10:53:14 GMT -5
I smiled when Erie arrived - Gods, he was so handsome I wanted to simply stare at him all night. Well, maybe do a little more than stare as he slipped an arm around my waist and softly kissed my forehead.
"Mmm, I'm glad you're here," I said, as we sat down at the table. I toyed with my menu and tried not to look as nerve wracked as I felt. Of course, I didn't have long to think about it, as my brother was punctual as usual.
When he arrived at the table, I sighed inwardly and made the introductions. "Guy, this is Erie Shahrizai de Amodour, Erie this is my brother, Guy de Layne."
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Post by Erie Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 20, 2010 22:40:30 GMT -5
We hadn't been sitting long when her brother appeared; I stood from my seat, reflexively, and placed my hand at my torso and bowed smoothly over it, but only a little. My face held no emotions, as ever, I wasn't one to easily show what was on my mind with my features, I usually left that to my words. "A pleasure." I then said softly as I reached out with my hand to shake his.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Apr 20, 2010 22:49:53 GMT -5
He seemed impassive, cold even, and I wondered at my sister's obvious regard for him. I could see it, writ large in the way she looked at him, the tension that told me she was worried about my reaction. I had not met the young man she had spent time with previously, but from Sandrine's description he was quite different: jovial, outgoing, more like the kind of man I would picture her with.
This man, a Shahrizai as I had surmised, seemed altogether different. Well, I would reserve judgment; I knew from experience that things were not always as they seemed. "The pleasure is mine," I said, shaking his hand and smiling at him, and then at my sister, trying to reassure her that my intention was not to make her life difficult.
Settling down in my chair, I fiddled with my menu, wondering if I should make small talk or simply cut to the chase.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 20, 2010 22:57:25 GMT -5
So far, so good. I did feel something of a flush come to my cheeks at the introductions though... Guy had to have considered what this relationship meant and it was really more than I wanted my brother to know about me. Well, I supposed it was a small price to play for being with Erie, did it matter if others had ideas?
"So," I said, smiling at my brother across the table even as I perused the menu. "How are things at Chez Rouille? The new house is lonely; I'm accustomed to so many people about!" I turned to Erie and smiled, trying to include him in the conversation. "Erie, you are staying with other people, you know how it is to have them always underfoot, don't you?"
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Post by Erie Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 20, 2010 23:16:37 GMT -5
He shook my hand, politely, then sat, so I followed suit and sat down as well, smoothing out my doublet as I did. Sophine began to speak first, and I listened, watching her and knowing she must have felt a little awkward. "Yes," I replied as I left one hand in my lap as I pulled up my napkin and laid it across my lap. "I'm staying with my aunt... well we call her our aunt... the Duchesse Anacrasia Shahrizai," I looked at Guy as I spoke, by way of information. "My sister and I that is." I looked to Sophine for a moment and flashed a quick smile. "Though I'm quite used to having lots of family around; cousins and uncles and the like."
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Post by Guy de Layne on Apr 20, 2010 23:33:35 GMT -5
I smiled politely as he answered my sister's question; it appeared that small talk was on the menu after all. "Well, it's quieter without you around," I said to her, then smiled at Erie. "Oh, you have spent a lot of time with your family, I take it? Sophine and I come from a smaller family, and very spread out. It's new to us, being so close together, isn't it?" Hopefully that would explain the ridiculous awkwardness that seemed to be hanging over us right now.
I glanced down at the menu and said, "Have either of you eaten here before? What's good?"
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Post by Erie Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 21, 2010 0:40:53 GMT -5
I gave him a weak smile but decided not to say much more, only simply look at my menu and let Sophine field the next question. I hadn't eaten hear before, so I had no idea what would look good.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 21, 2010 1:09:28 GMT -5
I gave Erie's hand a little squeeze under the table and tried to think of a way to let him know that I hadn't worn any undergarments. Even with Guy here, Erie brought out a side of me that I hadn't even known existed.
"No, I haven't eaten here before... I've always wanted to try Aragonian food." I looked over the menu and then shrugged. "Paella sounds good to me, but we'll see." I said, setting my menu down as the waiter meandered over. "Is everyone else ready to order?"
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Post by Guy de Layne on Apr 21, 2010 1:13:19 GMT -5
"Paella it is," I said, going along with her because I didn't much care what we ate at this point. I looked to Erie, wondering if he would go along with us or buck the trend and choose something else.
I avoided looking at my sister when I saw her hand go under the table, wondering if this evening was going to open my eyes much, much further than I desired.
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Post by Erie Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 21, 2010 1:21:59 GMT -5
I felt Sophines hand under the table and I started a little, not used to such things except when in some dark tavern with some one much looser. But the thought made my smile a little and it tugged at one corner of my mouth as I looked at Sophine then back to Guy. "I was thinking about the paella as well." I replied softly. "I think that sounds perfect." Perfect? Who says stuff like that? Me apparently, when trying to impress Sophine's brother.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 21, 2010 1:34:56 GMT -5
Even the slight upturn of his lips made me smile, I knew that it wasn't his wont, and I did not begrudge him his ways, but it made my heart swell to see him trying to make a good impression on Guy. If I had ever had a moment of doubt about how I felt for him, it was crushed at this very moment.
"Paella all around," I said, in stilting Aragonian, since I had been studying it of late. I also ordered us a carafe of red wine, hoping that it would help everyone to relax.
"So," I said as we waited, "Guy, you should have seen the masque, the costumes were amazing, weren't they, Erie?"
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Post by Guy de Layne on Apr 21, 2010 1:38:00 GMT -5
I bit back my amusement when she ordered in Aragonian - apparently she was also trying to make a good impression, though not on me, I'd wager.
"Well, midwinter is a bit different for Cassilines," I said, smiling and running a hand through my hair to keep it out of my eyes. "What did you two go as this year?"
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Post by Erie Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 21, 2010 1:48:16 GMT -5
I gave a causal wink to Sophine but turned my attention to her brother. "Erebos and Nyx," I replied. "My name sake, and Nyx is his wife and companion." I glanced to Sophine before looking back to her brother. "Its too bad you... couldn't have been there." I said some what awkwardly, trying to think of something nice to say but coming up short.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 21, 2010 19:24:54 GMT -5
I smiled warmly at Erie, remembering midwinter fondly. "Oh, you know Cassilines, they would rather kneel in the snow all night than have any fun." I grinned at my brother, relaxing now that I could see that he had no intention of embarrassing me in front of Erie.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Apr 21, 2010 19:28:21 GMT -5
I snorted at that, shaking my head. "Tis true, I confess ... parties make me distinctly uncomfortable, especially here in the City. At least I have an excuse with midwinter; I was bored stiff at that wedding Denis dragged me to."
Our food arrived and I was glad to have something to do besides make awkward small talk. I took a tentative bite, then smiled. "Oh good, it's edible."
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Post by Erie Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 21, 2010 20:14:38 GMT -5
I wanted to make a jab at his, 'oh good its edible' comment, but I refrained for Sophine's benefit. When I took I bit of my own meal I nodded gently and glanced to Sophine first and then Guy. "Its good." I replied simply.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 22, 2010 11:28:08 GMT -5
I sighed a bit, a little smile on my lips as I looked at the two men in my life - both the strong, silent type, which was making this dinner quite the quiet affair. Well, still, it did seem that they were getting along, which was what I wanted, so I decided that it was okay if the conversation was not exactly scintillating.
I tasted my own food and smiled, "It is good," I said, taking another bite. "A bit spicy though," I added, reaching for my wine.
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Post by Erie Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 22, 2010 15:53:06 GMT -5
I nodded a little and took another bite. "I don't mind it." I replied after I had chewed and swallowed.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Apr 22, 2010 19:51:26 GMT -5
"I thought you liked a little spice, Sophine?" I said, and then realized how that could be interpreted and stuffed a forkful of food into my mouth. It was a good thing that I was an expert at keeping my features smooth and impassive, or my face would have been quite red.
I swallowed and then agreed with Erie. "No, it's not so bad."
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Post by Erie Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 22, 2010 20:25:30 GMT -5
I choked a little on my bite at Guy's words but didn't let my face show any thing, only finished what was in my mouth. "In my experience, spice is just what one needs to make life more exciting." I replied, but did not look at Guy, but merely gave a quick side ways wink to Sophine.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 22, 2010 22:37:41 GMT -5
Oh Elua, this conversation was taking a turn that threatened to turn my face permanently red!
"Yes, er... of course, a little spice is a good thing." I took a long drink of wine and then smiled at them both. 'If you'll excuse me, I need to um powder my nose..." I said, rising and casting about for somewhere to go to get a moment of air. "I'll be right back."
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Post by Guy de Layne on Apr 22, 2010 22:53:12 GMT -5
I watched my sister turn several shades of red and excuse herself, which though a bit disturbing was also rather amusing.
Chuckling, I shook my head before looking at Erie, taking this opportunity to talk to him without my sister present.
"I hope you don't take this amiss," I began, being a blunt sort of man most of the time, "but I'd like to ask you what your intentions are toward my sister. I can tell that she cares for you, and I don't want to see her be hurt." I wasn't being rude, or confrontational, but I wanted him to know that I had Sophine's best interests at heart.
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Post by Erie Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 22, 2010 23:02:52 GMT -5
I sat up a little and put my fork down before picking up my napkin and wiping the corner of my mouth with it, thinking on how best to answer his question. "Well sir," I said as I took a moment then looked at him. "I think I'm in love with her, and thats saying a lot. I've never wanted a future with some one more, nor have I ever thought about my future as much as I do when I'm with her." I could have said a lot of things, one of them included telling him to mind his own business, but I figured that would not win any points in my favour. "I hope you won't say anything to her, showing my feelings does not come easily to me, and I haven't quite figured out how to voice them to Sophine. I'd hate for her to hear how I feel about her from some one that's not me."
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Post by Guy de Layne on Apr 23, 2010 0:05:47 GMT -5
I listened, and watched him as he spoke, and I had to admit that he seemed sincere. I was not of his family, to read people the way they did, but I liked to think that I was a good judge of character.
"Of course," I said, "I would never betray a confidence. If you'd like my opinion, I would say that she feels the same for you, I've never seen her like this before. She has a new confidence, as well, which I think has a lot to do with her relationship with you, which is a good thing."
I regarded him for a moment seriously, then smiled, "I realize that Sophine would probably stab me with a fork if she heard me telling you all of this, so perhaps this part of the evening can just stay between us?"
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Post by Erie Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 23, 2010 1:05:41 GMT -5
I nodded simply. "Of course." I replied softly. I knew full well how Sophine felt about me, of course I did, I saw how she looked at me, I felt what it was like to be with her, there was something complete about being with her. But I was ready, not just yet.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 23, 2010 1:18:23 GMT -5
When I returned, my brother looked something like the cat who had caught the mouse. I glanced at Erie questioningly as I returned to my seat. "I hope you boys didn't miss me too much while I was gone," I teased, my knee touching Erie's and sending a shiver down my spine.
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Post by Erie Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 23, 2010 1:39:08 GMT -5
"Not at all. Guy was just telling me about what it was like to be a Cassiline." I lied smoothly, I didn't like doing it to Sophine, but in this case it was important for me to do so.
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