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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2010 20:34:45 GMT -5
The morning held clear, no signs of storms or snow and the sky was clear. Alex and I sat quietly in my carriage as we pulled into Nights Doorstep. I had made sure that she was well fed and I gave her a small purse of 25 gold coin. It wasn't much but I also knew I was coming back for her.
"Well," I said softly when we pulled to a stop. "Here we are." I looked to Alex and smiled gently. I didn't want to smile too much as though to make her think I was happy to get rid of her.
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2010 20:40:30 GMT -5
I had slept so soundly that I felt better than I had in years. Azriel had given me breakfast, and even some coin, though I had tried to demure. So unlike me, and yet I did not want to impose on his hospitality. I had half expected him to come to my room in the night, but he hadn't, and while some might find that insulting, to me it was a sign that he respected me. That he truly wanted to help, not just get something for himself.
In the carriage on the way back to Night's Doorstep, I was quiet. I didn't want to go back, I realized. One night of good food and a soft bed and I was already dreading a return to my old life. How easy it was for one to get accustomed to luxury...
"Here we are," I echoed, smiling back at him. "Thank you so much, for everything. I'm sorry I stole from you." My cheeks heated at the admission. "But I'm awfully glad I didn't end up spending the night in jail."
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2010 20:57:41 GMT -5
I smiled gently in return but chuckled a little at her apology. "Its alright Alex, and I'm glad you didn't end up spending the night in jail either." I said smiling still. The carriage driver moved and the cab jostled before he opened the door. I exited first and offered out my hand to held Alex down. "If you have any problems, anything at all, you know where to find me."
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2010 21:24:04 GMT -5
I took his hand, feeling a sudden shiver as I touched him. I did my best to ignore it and jumped down from the carriage, feeling oddly conspicuous in the dress that he had given me. Like I was too clean for my old life.
"Thank you, Azriel, but I'm afraid I've imposed too much already." On impulse, I hugged him, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing his cheek softly. "Maybe we'll meet again someday, only this time I won't be running off with your purse."
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2010 22:12:18 GMT -5
When she wrapped her arms around me and embraced me, I felt as though I would cry. She was... so utterly sweet and kind, the type of girl that shouldn't be roaming about the streets because it would harden her to bitterness. I just couldn't let that happen. And when she kissed me, I tried to ignore the flash of a shiver that ran over my cheek and down my back.
"I hope so too." I said softly, emotion choking me a little. "Well," I said looking around and not wanting to look at her. "I hate good byes, so how about we just say fairwell and leave it at that." I gave a soft smile, but I knew that it showed on my face, that I would miss her.
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2010 22:33:51 GMT -5
I felt something that I'd never felt before, some kind of softness for him, similar to what I felt for the children on the streets, but more somehow.
I stepped back and smiled, "All right, farewell it is, Monsieur Marquis," I said, a teasing smile on my lips. I gave him one more smile and then I disappeared into the crowd, trying to hide the sadness that I felt at parting from him.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2010 23:14:23 GMT -5
I gave her a smile in return and watched her turn and walk away, I already felt like I would miss her. The thought reminded me of what I had to do, I wasn't going to let her walk back onto the streets and become another lost soul, I was going to save her. I jumped back into my carriage and called out to my driver, I had lots of things to do and in very little time. *** My task was done and I had documents in hand, Alex was officially under my guardianship and I owned her marque. I knew that she wasn't going to be happy with that idea, but I knew she would accept my terms once she had heard them out. I made my way back to Nights Doorstep, determined to find her. When the carriage came to a halt I jumped out and began to search. I had dropped her off not more then an hour and a half ago so I knew she had to be around here some where. My mind focused on searching for the gown she had been wearing when she left, the colours combined with her dark hair and pale skin. It didn't take more then a ten minute search before I spoted her, standing on the side of the road. I made straight for her, my eyes focused on her as I walked toward her, never looking away so that I didn't loose sight of her. She was across the street from me and I didn't have to go far, so it didn't take long till I was right up next to her, a serious look on my face. Without thinking I just slipped my hand into hers and gripped it. "Come on." I said softly and then tugged her behind me, heading back toward the carriage. I hoped that she trusted me enough to follow, to know that I wasn't just taking her off to harm her.
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2010 23:31:13 GMT -5
I left Azriel and headed for the marketplace. I knew none of the vendors I'd stolen from would recognize me, and sure enough, everyone treated me with a respect that I had forgotten I could command. I bought some fruits and some bread, some carrots and even some dried meat. I'd spent Azriel's coin faster than I should have, but I didn't want to be the only one with a full belly.
I began to search out my friends, finding them in ones and twos and handing them out food. It didn't take long before word got out and my little sack of food was soon empty. I stood there when it was empty, still more hungry mouths before me; I couldn't feed them all on 25 gold coins.
"I'm sorry, I'm out..." I told them, hating the disappointed look in their eyes. I felt so badly as they all wandered away that it was all I could do not to go steal some food right this instant. I didn't want to steal anymore, but I knew I would have to in order to survive, but it made me sad of a sudden.
Before I could continue to brood on it, however, suddenly Azriel was there again, like a dream. He took my hand and bade me follow him, and I did, without thinking twice. He'd already proven himself trustworthy in my mind, and besides, I wanted to go with him.
"Where are we going?" I asked, laughing as I followed along, squeezing his hand softly.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2010 23:49:15 GMT -5
She followed, just like that and I knew I had made the right choice.
"Home." I answered only glancing over at her with a gentle smile. My carriage was not far from where I had found her and we reached it in no time. I helped her into it and told the driver to take us home before I sat down across from Alex as the carriage began to sway.
"Here." I said as I handed over the two letters that I had. One was from the Magistrate granting me legal guardianship of Alex, the other was from Trinette, comfirming that I had purchased her marque fully and that I owned it instead of Valerian. For a moment I just let her read, but then decided she'd need an explaination as to what was happening.
"I couldn't let you come back to the street Alex, not when I could give you a better life. So I went to the magistrate and took legal custody of you. I then went to Trinette and purchased your marque." I watched her for a moment then continued. "Heres the deal, I will tutor you in all subjects and I will help you finish your trainning to be a servant of Namaah. Once you are finished, if you wish debut and continue with service to Namaah, I will help you do this, but you will be free to decide when and were. I won't force you to take patrons, and you can pay me back how ever much you want, how ever often you want. As long as the balance on your marque is outstanding you may live in my home. Should, at 18, you decide to leave you will be free to leave under the condition that each month you continue to pay down your debt. That being said you will be free to come and go as you'd like, marry as you'd like. or take up another calling. In fact if you finish your training and decide you'd rather become a Chirurgeon instead I will gladly help you in that endevour as well." I looked at her then, after giving her all that information.
"So, do you accept my deal?"
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 0:31:43 GMT -5
"Home?" I said, suddenly terrified that he was about to take me back to Valerian. He couldn't betray me like that, could he? In the carriage, he handed me papers and as I skimmed over them, I could hardly believe what I was reading. No, I wasn't going back to Valerian, but I was still going to be owned - just another master for me to bow to.
I felt tears prick the backs of my eyelids, but they remained unshed as anger washed over me. How could he do this? Had I not made myself clear at all? I realized then that he was speaking, and I forced myself to listen to him. His terms did not seem so bad, and I took a few deep breaths to calm myself. What he offered was not the same type of ownership the Night Court offered, and now that I was older I had come to realize that if I wanted any kind of a life I was going to have to pay off my marque. It might not be fair, but that's the way it was.
And I would be lying if I said that I hadn't enjoyed my time with him last night and this morning. He was sweet and funny and kind, and he'd done this not to own me but to help me, I could see that in his eyes, which were earnest as he spoke. My anger drained away as I realized that this could change my life forever - I would be a complete fool not to grab this opportunity with both hands.
"I do, Azriel." I said at last, hardly believing that I was never going to back to sleeping in alleys and begging and stealing for food. "Thank you... no one's ever done anything so kind for me..." My voice felt thick and I was at a loss as to how to respond.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 0:42:35 GMT -5
I let out a breath I hadn't realized that I had been holding and nodded with a smile. "You're welcome Alex." I said softly as I looked at her, the carriage swaying gently. "I want you to have a good life, with me, in my home." I added as I continued to smile at her. "I think the first thing we need to do is get you some clothes, some that fit better too. So, to Eglantine." I pounded on the roof and the carriage slowed. I poked my head out the door and told the driver to take us to Eglantine before sitting back down.
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 0:51:09 GMT -5
I believed him, I realized with a start. I had never grown as cynical as some do on the streets, but I did not trust people easily. And yet, Azriel had earned my trust so quickly, it was like all of my life had been merely preparation for this moment.
"Eglantine?" I said, my eyebrows raising. They were so expensive! "Oh, that's not necessary, off the rack is fine, Azriel, you really don't have to spend that kind of money..." My own wardrobe from Eglantine? I could hardly credit that this was happening to me, it was like a dream, and of a sudden I pinched my own arm sharply.
It hurt, and felt a little deliciously naughty at the same time, but I still felt like I must be dreaming. This was all too good to be true, wasn't it?
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 0:59:13 GMT -5
I chuckled softly. "It won't do to have the ward of the Marquise Le Mons walking around in anything other then the best." I said with a grin, and it was true. "You represent my house just as much as you represent yourself. I also attend fetes and you'll often join me, so you'll need to look as polished as possible." The carriage began to ascend and I knew we were nearing Eglantine.
"Besides, you're too beautiful to run around in gowns that are not perfectly fitted to you." I looked out the window to be sure that we were near then looked back to Alex. "Be sure to think of anything else you'll need as well. I have a library full of books for you to read at your leisure. And if you wish to have any sort of jewelry, or perhaps a vanity set... yes I think we should get a few more personal items for you."
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 1:06:33 GMT -5
I couldn't argue with his logic, and if I was honest, I didn't really want to. I was girlishly excited about having a new wardrobe, from Eglantine, even, and jewelry and hair combs -- oh, my hair! I reached up and pulled the pins out, letting the uneven strands fall around my shoulders.
"Maybe a hair cut?" I asked hopefully. "I did this myself and I obviously have no talent for it." I smiled wryly as I began to pin it back up, so that it wasn't so obvious how I'd hacked it.
"So, did you say fetes?" I asked, feeling excitement tickle at my belly. "I've never been to a fete. I remember watching the adepts get all dressed up for Midwinter and I always wanted to go..." I trailed off, thinking that this year would have been my first Masque, and I had missed it, spending the longest night shivering in a doorway. Something else he said registered then, and I smiled at him, "You think I'm beautiful?"
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 1:11:31 GMT -5
I was about to comment on her hair but she continued speaking and I just made the mental note to have one of my maids cut it when we got home. Instead I focused on her last words and I blushed, looking away to hide it. "Yes." I said softly, simply before looking back at her finally. "You are attractive, of course." I shrugged a little. "It will be helpful for you if you decide to follow in the service of Namaah."
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 1:19:29 GMT -5
I felt a pang of disappointment at his lackluster response, but then what had I been expecting? Confused about my own feelings, I peeked out of the carriage window, seeing Mont Nuit and feeling an odd flutter in my stomach about coming back here.
"I never thought I would set foot on Mont Nuit again," I said softly, childhood memories flitting through my mind one after another. For all intents and purposes, Jasmine House had been my parents, and Valerian afterward.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 1:25:54 GMT -5
I knit my brows and crossed to her side of the carriage, sitting next to her. "Do you wish to go else where?" I asked softly. "We don't have to go to Eglantine. Or I can have an adept come to the house to measure you." My hand reached out and held hers gently. "I didn't really think about it to be honest, I should of, but I didn't."
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 1:30:37 GMT -5
"No, no, it's all right," I smiled at him, touched by the way he moved to sit next to me. "It was my home for so long, but when I left, I never thought to be welcome again. At least, unless it was to be dragged kicking and screaming back to Valerian." I laughed softly, resting my head on his shoulder. "No, I think I need to do this, come back as my own person, on my terms."
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 1:42:32 GMT -5
Something strange happened to me when she leaned her head against my shoulder; all I could think of was to wrap my arms around her. And for the first time I admitted to myself that I wanted to kiss her. But of course I knew I shouldn't, couldn't, it would be an utter breach of trust and I wouldn't do that to her.
"Alright." I said softly, my hand still holding hers. My head turned and I kissed her top of hers, the only thing I would allow as it was chaste and sweet, just like her.
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 9:40:45 GMT -5
I felt safe with Azriel, a feeling I had forgotten, and when he kissed the top of my forehead I smiled. I wondered if this was what it would have been like to have a father, though some of the men at Jasmine and Valerian had tried to fill that role, none of them had really been equipped. I suspected that as children went, I was a handful.
As the carriage passed Jasmine House on it's way to Eglantine, I felt a wave of nostalgia for my childhood, but I knew that it was time to put such things behind me. I was on the verge of adulthood, and I was starting a new life. And I was actually quite excited about it, if I would admit it to myself. The situation was less than ideal, with Azriel owning my marque, but the terms he offered were more than fair, and I could not fault him for doing things the legal way.
"I can't wait to have new clothes," I said, looking up at him and grinning. "I haven't had anything brand new in years." I realized that I was fair bouncing in my seat as we drew close and I strove to calm myself, now wasn't the time to act like an overexcited child.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 14:10:12 GMT -5
I chuckled softly, pulling back from my embrace with her a little as I looked out the window, watching as we neared Eglantine. "Then this should be an enjoyable event." I said with a smile. "You'll need quite the wardrobe. Gowns for day wear, gowns for fetes, a ridding gown, a tumbling outfit." I went over in my mind all the things I would have to do as well, all the tutors I would have to hire to get Alex onto her studies.
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 21:53:29 GMT -5
"Oh..." I said, my mouth making a little "o" as I imagined all of the clothes he was talking about. Gowns for fetes especially, for I had always wanted one of my own. "Are we almost there?" I asked, suddenly unable to hide my excitement. What would my friends in Night's Doorstep think of me now? "Thank you, Azriel!" I said, twisting to throw my arms around his neck. I held on to him for more than a moment, enjoying the way he smelled, something stirring in me that I was unaccustomed to, but did not want to examine too deeply. Not yet.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 22:51:00 GMT -5
When she wrapped her arms around me I couldn't hide my grin and I embraced her back in a chaste fashion though I still held tight to her. "You're welcome Alex, I'm happy that you're happy." I said softly in her ear. She smelled like home, my home actually, but it was a strange feeling. As though I was close to her without really knowing her that long, a day was all I had really known her and now she was to be my ward.
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 23:09:49 GMT -5
I was happy, what a novel sensation. I leaned back and smiled, something that had been bothering me making me nervous. "Do you think your niece will like me? And your cousin, the one that lives with you... what if she doesn't want me around?" I had no idea what his relationships was like with the other two young women in his life, but I had heard that the Shahrizai could be "close" with their cousins. Maybe this young woman would be jealous of my presence? I had no wish to make enemies, especially not among the Shahrizai.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 23:17:06 GMT -5
I reached up and cupped her face in my hand, my thumb stroking over her cheek as my fingers played in the delicate hairs at her neck. "Do not worry yourself over them, Naia will like you I'm sure. Lilli... well she'll understand. I won't say she'll like you right away, but I know she'll come to care for you the way I do." I said with a gentle smile.
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 23:22:10 GMT -5
The words he spoke washed right over me as I focused on one thing: He cared for me. Why he should, after only one day, I couldn't say, but I couldn't gainsay it either, because I felt the same way. I hadn't stolen a thing from his house, not because I cared about hospitality, but because I couldn't bear to disappoint him, to make him think less of me. I had accepted an offer that I would have railed against had it come from any other man, and I didn't even really know why. Why did we gravitate toward each other like moths to flames? I couldn't explain it, it just simply was.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 23:28:29 GMT -5
She didn't speak, just looked at me, and I felt my heart begin to race that way it would had she been a girl I wished to court.
But I couldn't, of course I couldn't, she was sixteen and I thirty! Not to mention that she was now my ward. How would that look! Like I was collecting up girls just to make them my sexual slaves.
But oh gods, she was so beautiful, and I found my hand slipping from her cheek to run through her pinned hair. I wanted to kiss her... I did... I admited it to myself that her lips looked perfect for crushing beneath mine.
So long I had been searching for a girl that was just the right combination, a girl that was sweet and kind, with a good heart. A girl that would also submit to me in the bedroom and let me do all sort of awful things to her body. Alex was that girl. And I wanted to do all sorts of awful things to her body, to tie her up, blindfold her and use the whip on her til she came.
Gods! What was I saying!
No, I had to be good. I had to be good.
"We're almost there." I said in a whisper as I pulled my hand back, turning to face forward in hopes to hide my semi hard member from her. "Be thinking about colours and styles." I added with a little smile, my voice now back to normal as though nothing sexual had been running through my mind.
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Post by Alexandryne nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 23:41:13 GMT -5
The way he was looking at me made me shiver slightly and when he ran his hand up through my hair, I had to close my eyes. My heart thrummed in my chest, and I knew something was happening between us. Something I had always dreamed of having but never thought I would ... wait, I was getting ahead of myself. Maybe I was crazy from malnutrition? I opened my eyes when he dropped his hand and spoke and I tried to return my focus to clothes.
"I don't know much about the latest fashions, I shall probably leave it up to the Eglantine. The adept will certainly know better than I." I smiled at him and then asked him with a little laugh, "What's your favorite color, Azriel?" I wanted at least a few dresses in a color that would appeal to him.
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Post by Azriel Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2010 23:45:26 GMT -5
I looked at her and chuckled. "Red I'd have to say... but I also like green and blue." I smiled at her as I felt the carriage turn into the drive way of Eglantine. "I think you'd look beautiful in all those colours, so we'll be sure to get one of each." Sure enough the carriage came to a halt in front of the house of clothiers and I jumped out, needing the space in order to stop thinking about what I wanted to do to her. I continued to smile though as if nothing were wrong and stretched out my hand to help her down.
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