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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 17, 2010 1:09:13 GMT -5
In my life I had been faced with many surprises, but none was as surprising as the offer she made me. I knew my mouth was hanging open a bit, and even then it took me a full half moment to be able to shut it.
“My lady…” I stammered, still so taken by surprise that I forgot my manners and the gift of calling her by her name. “That is most generous. Thank you.”
Finally I found some center and took a deep breath. “I will think on it, you have my word. You are very kind.”
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 17, 2010 1:17:01 GMT -5
I turned my head so I could meet his eyes, letting him see the desire that flashed through mine. “Oh yes,” I said softly, my grin more than a little wicked.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 17, 2010 1:34:47 GMT -5
Gods above why couldn’t he just go away???
Tears were streaming down my cheeks again, all my composure shattered once more as I yanked the door open.
“If Christophe was more than your brother, if he had been your friend, then you never would have believed mama and papa. I was younger than you were Pierre and I didn’t believe the awful things they said, I never grew to hate him, neither did Henri. You have to be willing to let someone turn you against someone you love, and you went willingly where they pointed you.” My voice broke as I sobbed. “You treated me worse than anyone in my life. You are my big brother Pierre, you were supposed to protect me from the things that might hurt me, not take part in the lies that kept me in a box.”
I wanted so much to hit him, hard, across the jaw as Henri had shown me, but I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. “You left without a word, just stole away without giving a thought to what Henri or I might really need. Once again, you thought only of yourself.” I wiped angrily at my eyes, furious that he had driven me to tears again.
“And if you truly meant any of the things you said, then it wouldn’t have taken a promise to that woman to get you to say them. If you had meant them then you would have said them to me without any obligation to anyone else. I don’t believe you, not a bit. Once more you are saying words you think you should say to please someone else, not what you really feel.” I sobbed again. “Just go away Pierre, just leave me alone.”
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Post by Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian on Jul 17, 2010 1:37:13 GMT -5
I watched him go and then shook my head, rising and leaving the library myself. I stopped before I entered the room where the party lay however. I was no longer comfortable here, no matter how happy I was for Christophe. So I stood in the hall and caught the next server to go by with drinks. Maybe after a few sips of wine I would feel fortified enough enter...
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Jul 17, 2010 2:00:38 GMT -5
"You wanted me to leave you alone didn't you?" I asked as I knit my brows. "You wanted to escape me by coming here, and now all of a sudden you're angry because I gave you want you wanted? You need to make up your mind Marie, either you want me around or you don't. You can't have both then hate me because I'm trying to do something good." I sighed. "You can believe what you want Marie, and if you believe what you say then you're no better then I was. I have no idea how scared I was, how much I trusted in our parents. You have no idea what it was like for me and the position I was placed it. And as for Karina, she's not just some woman, I want to be with her to marry her, to have with Christophe has with Mala. Would you say that same thing to Christophe if it was Mala who gave him courage to speak up. Thats all she did Marie, was support me and give me a chance to prove I could be better. Thats all I'm asking of you." I shook my head.
"Hate me all you want Marie but that does nothing for me and it hurts you. May be one day you'll be in my shoes and felt what it was like to be so scared and unsure. May be one day you'll be embarrassed by your actions and realize how hard it is to put yourself out there and try to do right. Did you think I believed because I came here and said this to you, that everything would be fixed and you'd forgive me? No, I knew you'd be upset and I knew you'd hate me, I knew you'd judge me and say cruel things. But I came because I wanted to show you that I could appologize, that I can change and that I'm trying." I swallowed and turned from her then.
"I'll leave you alone, if thats what you wish, but think really hard if that is what you want, or if you just want to hurt me like I hurt you." With that I headed down the hall way and down the stairs, wishing to find Karina and leave right away.
It didn't take long to spot her and I walked up to her right away. "Ready to leave?" I asked her then, no smile, no hint of pleasure for the happy couple.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jul 17, 2010 2:02:27 GMT -5
"I just want to see you do well my dear," I replied with a smile. It was not the way of the world for people like me to swoop in and offer such things to girls like her. I knew that, but it hurt my heart to see that she knew that. Someone so young should not be so cynical yet. "And it's not too generous, I'm not the easiest person to live with."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 17, 2010 2:11:01 GMT -5
I sank to my knees, sobbing, my arms wrapped around myself. I was in the open doorway, but I hurt too much to care. All the joy that had been in this day had been ripped away by his selfishness. The only possible reason he had come here today and did the things he did was to make sure the day was about him and not about his brother, the one he supposedly had come to understand.
I put my hands over my face, trying to muffle sound of my crying, too wrought to go back into my room.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 17, 2010 2:15:46 GMT -5
I couldn’t help but smile softly, my cheeks warming a little. “I will keep that in mind,” I said. “Thank you, again.”
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Post by Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian on Jul 17, 2010 16:08:56 GMT -5
I heard the shouting coming from upstairs, and winced. I knew it was the right thing for Pierre to do, but it sounded like it wasn't going well. I tried not to think on it too hard and enjoy my wine, but I didn't have much luck.
Pierre returned downstairs, his face grim. At his question I nodded. "Just have to congratulate Christophe, and then I'm definitely ready."
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Jul 17, 2010 16:16:51 GMT -5
I nodded. "Good idea." I said softly and gave her a quick smile as I offered her arm. When she took it I guided us over to where Christophe was, but did not make a move to interupt, just stood on the wings waiting for him to see us.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Jul 17, 2010 16:42:44 GMT -5
I had turned toward the door when I heard shouting coming from upstairs, but a moment later someone was rattling down the steps. Sure enough, Pierre came in.
I managed a smile, mostly for Karina's benefit, and started in on all the introductions. "Brother, Karina, I'm so glad the two of you could make it. This of course is my beautiful wife Malabelle, and may I also introduce the Marquise Belfours and our daughter Synnove Belfours? This is my brother Pierre and Karina Mikhailova, Second of Valerian."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 17, 2010 16:49:57 GMT -5
There were sounds of shouting and I followed Christophe’s gaze towards the door. A moment later Pierre and the second of Valerian came towards us.
I smiled at the girl before turning an icy gaze to Pierre. He had promised that he would not cause a scene at the wedding, he’d sworn it to me, and yet here he was doing exactly that. Synnove began to fuss a little, feeling the tension I was sure, and I rocked her gently.
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Jul 17, 2010 16:55:57 GMT -5
I bowed to the group, my eyes on Christophe. He was smiling, but I could see behind his eyes, the frustration that was there only when he looked at me. I could tell he had heard Marie yelling and I could now gathered he'd put enough together to know she had been yelling at me. "Its a pleasure to see you again Mala..." I said with a polite smile, my voice honest and no hint of displeasure or of our past dealings. "Congratulations and best wishes my lady." I added as I glanced to Christophe and then to then to the woman he introduced was the mother of his child. I wanted to sigh as I looked at the pair, mother and child. I really did pity Christophe, it wasn't going to be easy for him to balance a world of three woman. He'd need his sanity and I prayed to Blessed Elua that he kept it.
"Its a pleasure to meet you Marquise," I said bowing again to her then looked at the child. "You have a beautiful daughter." I reached out and awkwardly touched the child's head before pulling back. I wasn't exactly sure what to do with babes and I knew it showed. Not that I disliked them, I hoped to have my own children one day, but I always assumed I'd have more to offer them when they were older, that I'd just drop an infant. "Congratulations Christophe." I had the urge to tease him and say something about her being lucky to not have his looks. But I resisted, I wasn't sure how he'd take it and I didn't want to cause more of a scene.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jul 17, 2010 20:08:23 GMT -5
I kept my face absolutely straight, absorbing the shouting upstairs, then the appearance of a man who looked very much like Christophe, along with the second of Valerian, Karina. I knew her, of course, and I nodded politely to her, before turning my attention to...Pierre, that was his name. "Thank you Pierre, it is lovely to meet you as well," I said, smiling politely. "We certainly are fortunate to have her, she is beautiful, and a good baby besides."
When he awkwardly reached out to touch my daughter, I followed his hand and noticed she was fussing. Malabelle was doing her best to comfort her, and I decided to leave it alone. If Synnove began to cry in earnest I would take her out.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 18, 2010 1:39:20 GMT -5
Any sympathy I had held for Pierre, any connection died in these few moments. I turned my attention to Karina.
“Thank you very much for coming,” I told her with an honest smile. I was certain that this was not something she had engineered. “If you’ll excuse me, Synnove wants to walk, I think.”
Turning, I began to walk slowly, rocking a little as I did. The baby began to settle immediately, cooing once again and looking around.
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Jul 18, 2010 7:00:29 GMT -5
I had arrived a little late, and walked through the doors of Mala's house. The grin I had sported had not left my visage, and there was a hop to my step. I entered past the front doors, smiling at those around me, but stopped short when I looked at the group before me - Pierre, with a woman I had seen at the wedding but did not know, Christophe, Mala and another woman, all looking none-too-happy, and the energy of it was like that before a potential battle on a battle field. I did not know whether to approach, or to stand back, so I took a few steps closer and waited to see whether it was a good or bad time to step in.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Jul 18, 2010 16:25:36 GMT -5
He hadn't reacted when I introduced Karina as Second, so he must have known. It was no accident that had caused Marie to become so upset. But I did not want to let Pierre's antics ruin my wedding day, so I merely kept smiling politely. "Thank you," I replied to his congratulations. "So did the two of you meet at the ceremony?"
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Post by Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian on Jul 18, 2010 16:38:31 GMT -5
"Actually we met in the City, quite by chance. We had no idea that we were already connected through you," I replied with a smile. No one was sending me dirty looks, so I relaxed a bit. "Congratulations, both on your wedding and your beautiful baby girl. And thank you very much for inviting me, it was an honour."
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Jul 18, 2010 16:56:05 GMT -5
I glanced to Karina with a smile at her response; I tried to ignore Malabelle's burning stares and that fact that I was standing in the lions den with not a single person on my side... well except Karina, and after what I had just put her through I had a feeling that she wouldn't want to see me again. Karina was too nice to just dump me on my rear end right there, but I imagined she'd have a lot to say to me when we were in private.
"Yes, Karina and I are... Friends." I thought that was probably the best way to put it. We certainly weren't lovers and I had no idea if I was actually courting her or not, we'd never really discussed it. "About the time I..." I glanced between Christophe and Mala's fleeting back. "Right around the time I moved into the baracks. We met in a tavern and I was unconscionably rude to her... as I am apparently my won't to be. So the day after I went to go appologize and I discovered that she..." I glanced to Karina and then looked at Christophe. "That you two knew each other." I gave a polite smile to him and then looked to Soleil before glancing to the floor and ran my hand through my hair.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Jul 18, 2010 23:15:39 GMT -5
They were... friends? The pregnant pause made me think that they were more than just friends. But I was willing to ignore it for now, especially when I spotted my other brother.
"Henri, there you are," I said with a much more real smile. "Come meet the Marquise, Soleil Belfours, and this is Karina Mikailova. This is my younger brother Henri."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jul 18, 2010 23:48:16 GMT -5
I smiled genuinely at Henri, this was the sweet brother. "A pleasure to meet you, Henri," I said. "In Malabelle's arms is our daughter, your niece, Synnove Belfours."
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Post by Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian on Jul 19, 2010 0:28:15 GMT -5
The way Pierre described our relationship made me want to sink into the floor. I had tried to be political about the encounter, but Pierre had just come along and implied that we were lovers. Since I couldn't literally sink into the floor, I opted for the second best option and went for a retreat. "Christophe, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I really must be getting back to Valerian. It was very nice to meet you all. Congratulations again," I said, smiling to them.
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Pierre Legard (D)
Deceased
Member of the Queen's Guard
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Christophe, Marie and Henri Legard
Posts: 318
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Post by Pierre Legard (D) on Jul 19, 2010 0:50:25 GMT -5
"Yes." I said and nodded looking to Christophe, Henri and Soliel. "Yes I think I should be off as well. Congratulations again Christope, it was good seeing you again." I looked to my other brother. "And Henri, you look well." I looked to Soliel. "Marquise, it was a pleasure. Please excuse us." I bobbed a bow and put my hand against Karina's back ready to guide us away from the group.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jul 19, 2010 17:46:41 GMT -5
Before I could even say goodbye, the two had left, with her exiting gracefully and him trotting after her like a lost puppy. I sighed. My breasts were heavy, and it was getting to be time for Synnove to eat again, but to leave now would probably just add to the awkwardness. Besides, among family, I had no qualms about nursing, leaving would be more for their comfort.
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Post by Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian on Jul 19, 2010 22:45:40 GMT -5
Pierre and I left, his hand warm against the small of my back. Maybe at another time I would appreciate the warmth. But I was far more concerned about lessening the damage done by getting out of there. I didn't say anything to Pierre as I asked for the carriage to be brought around.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 19, 2010 22:46:08 GMT -5
My path brought me back to Soliel and with a smile, I handed over her daughter. “I think perhaps I should be with my husband right now,” I said softly. I kissed the baby on her head, my hair tickling her cheeks and making her giggle. I smiled at them both and went back to Christophe, slipping my arm through his.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jul 20, 2010 1:14:25 GMT -5
I took Synnove back into my arms, and she nuzzled at my breast. "Is there somewhere I could go to feed her?" I asked.
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Jul 20, 2010 11:05:31 GMT -5
Christophe called me over and introduced me to Soleil. I bowed deeply to her, with a soft smile.
"It is nice to meet you," I said, grinining at the mention of a baby. But the calm was short-lived as Pierre went away, with the woman introduced as Karina. I watched them take their leave, and looked back to Christophe. I grinned, regardless, too happy to let whatever sillyness had occurred ruin the fact that today was a happy day, and one where I was very proud of my brother. Malabelle returned, baby in her arms, and I was instantly sidetracked, my eyes going straight to teh little bundle.
"Oh Christophe," I murmured, "She is absolutely beautiful."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 20, 2010 21:26:14 GMT -5
I glanced at the hubbub around the little group, watching as it played out and then my Second left with a man who seemed to be family.
Looking back at the Duchesse, I inclined my head. “I think perhaps I should take my leave. This is a family gathering. Thank you again for your offer and I will let you know soon.”
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jul 20, 2010 22:14:36 GMT -5
“Of course,” I said, motioning one of the servants over. “Show the Marquise to the guest room.” the girl curtseyed and waited for Soliel to follow her.
“Chendra will show you to a nice room down the hall. it should be quiet,” I told Soliel with a smile.
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