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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 14, 2010 22:14:03 GMT -5
I had no trouble finding the home of the Marquise, it was one of the oldest and biggest in the Borough, lovely even to behold. I wracked my brain for a memory of meeting this women, Soleil Belfours, but I had none and I wondered if I had even met her at all last night. The evening was fuzzy in my mind - who knew?
I walked up the walkway nervously, taking a deep breath before rapping on the door, hoping suddenly that she would not be home. I could leave the note, and tell Azriel that I had attempted an apology. Yes, that would be a perfect solution, and all I could do was pray to Kushiel that it would pan out that way.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jun 14, 2010 23:13:58 GMT -5
After Okal left, I bathed. While in the tub, I mulled over the ways in which I could humiliate Azriel Shahrizai, but could think of none. The man was nigh untouchable. Brooding, I dressed, before going into Synnove's room to fetch her from her nanny. As I walked down the stairs with my baby on my hip, I heard a knock at the door. I wasn't expecting anybody, so I furrowed my brow and answered. When I saw who was standing there, I nearly fell over. "Why, Naia Shahrizai," I said. "I didn't expect you'd be out of bed after the night you had." I chuckled. "I would have greeted you myself, but you appeared...indisposed." I stepped out of the way. "Come in. What can I do for you?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 14, 2010 23:28:26 GMT -5
I was embarrassed that she recognized me, especially considering how last night had gone, but I rallied from it to smile and curtsy as graciously as I could, trying not to stare at her baby, who was awfully cute, though I had no experience with children to speak of.
I entered the house and then turned to her, my cheeks still heated. "Actually, last night is why I'm here." I handed her the letter from Azriel, then plowed on. "I wanted to apologize about last night. My cousin had no idea of the way the party was going, that there might be a need for ... privacy ... and he was just taken off guard. It is totally my fault for not speaking to him, or to the guests or ... well, just for not thinking, really. I hope you will forgive us, we meant no disrespect."
I finished in a rush, hoping that she would accept my apology, as it was one of the first ones I had ever made, and probably one of the most sincere.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jun 16, 2010 17:19:08 GMT -5
I raised one eyebrow at her, but said nothing. Shifting Synnove on my hip, I opened the letter.
Dear Marquise Belfours;
Please forgive my rude behaviour the other night. I'm afraid that it was very unbecoming of me and not acceptable. My cousin Naia took a few liberties when arranging the fete and did not speak with me in regards to the posibility that those in attendance would wish to have privacy.
Once again, I apologize.
Azriel Shahrizai, Marquis Le Mons
I read it twice, making sure I understood his meaning completely before speaking. "I accept your apology, and that of your cousin," I said. "We are near-kin, you know, my foster-sister is your matriarch, Anacrasia. If you will give me a moment to pen a return letter..."
I motioned to her to follow me to my study. "Make yourself comfortable," I said, gesturing to the chair in front of my desk. "Let me just..." I moved to ring for Synnove's nanny, but realized it was unnecessary. "Would you mind holding her for a moment?" I asked Naia. "She's very sweet."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 16, 2010 20:58:37 GMT -5
I was so relieved that she had accepted my apology, I smiled and let out a breath I hadn't even known I was holding. "Oh, I haven't met Anacrasia yet," I said, making an effort not to pout about the fact that she hadn't come to my party. After the way the night had gone, that was probably for the best.
I followed her into to the study, and then was confronted with a situation I had never thought to find myself in - she wanted me to hold her baby. Most people wouldn't trust me with their pets, much less their children, but of course the Marquise had obviously not heard the rumors that abounded about me. I didn't want to insult her, after she had just accepted Azriel's and my apologies, so I reached out for the baby tentatively.
"Of course ... I, uh, I've never held one before...." I trailed off as I took her into my arms, which seemed to know what to do without any help from my brain. She was sweet, and I smiled reflexively when she smiled at me, waving a chubby little fist. "Look, I think she likes me!" I exclaimed, laughing and making faces at her, quite forgetting my upset stomach and difficult morning.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jun 19, 2010 23:10:34 GMT -5
"She likes everyone," I said, smiling at the sight of Synnove enjoying this new person. Sitting down at my desk, I penned the following reply:
To the Marquis le Mons:
I forgive your unkindness, and accept your apology. I also was not on my best behavior and I regret that. I hope we will have no ill will remaining between us.
Yours sincerely,
Soleil Belfours, Marquise
Folding it up and sealing it, I stood. "Here you are then," I said. "I hope you're not in too much trouble."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 20, 2010 14:54:43 GMT -5
I was so engrossed in the baby's little coos and smiles that I quite forgot what I was here for. When the Marquise was done with her letter to Azriel, she rose and held it out for me. I in turn handed back her child, a bit of an awkward exchange, in truth.
"Well, I suppose I am fortunate in that Azriel is very forgiving," I said, though I made a little face, thinking about all of the restrictions he had laid upon me. For as long as I could remember, I had done as I pleased, with no consequence, and I wondered how I was going to fare at this new lifestyle. "I think he knows that I meant no harm, I didn't realize how ... out of control the party was going to get."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jun 21, 2010 22:58:14 GMT -5
"Well," I said, "all the guests looked as though they were having fun, but one girl's party is another man's nightmare, I suppose." It wasn't Naia's fault her uncle was such a prude, from the looks of things, I had thought she was well on her way to becoming an excellent Shahrizai hostess. "I was something of a strong-willed young woman myself, but that was before this little one came along."
Synnove squirmed on my hip, trying to reach for Naia again. "It looks like you have a new friend," I said, chuckling. Opening the study door, we began to walk back to the foyer. "As foster-family, you're welcome here anytime," I said to Naia. "Please convey that sentiment to your cousin, as well as my best wishes." Azriel's apology had placated me, and rather than holding onto my anger, I could focus on building bridges.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 22, 2010 20:51:26 GMT -5
I smiled, feeling a little better knowing that not everyone had reacted to the party the way Azriel had. Maybe I wasn't a laughingstock after all? I reached out and let Synnove grab at my finger as we walked back toward the foyer.
"Thank you, Marquise, I can't tell you how relieved I am that you feel that way." I sighed a bit and shook my head. "It seems that no matter how I try, I am always making missteps." It wasn't like me to confide in people, but the Marquise seemed like someone who would understand.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jun 23, 2010 1:18:30 GMT -5
"That's what youth is for," I said, as we neared the door. "The important thing is that you learn from your mistakes so that you don't repeat them." We reached the door and I opened it to let her out. "Good bye Naia," I said. "I hope to see you again soon."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 23, 2010 21:13:16 GMT -5
"Thank you again for everything," I said, feeling lighter in my heart as I prepared to leave. "Good bye, Marquise, I am sure we will meet again."
With that, I took my leave, almost skipping all the way back to Azriel's house, unable to suppress a smile and unable to wait to tell Azriel how well it had gone.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jun 23, 2010 23:58:08 GMT -5
I closed the door behind her before kissing Synnove. "We've got a new friend, baby," I cooed.
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