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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 3, 2010 22:09:20 GMT -5
"Did Octavier send you then?" I asked. I could feel my frustration begin to stir, justified by Gabriel's similar reaction. I didn't know what this woman wanted, and I was in no mood to play games.
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Post by Kaden nó Gentian on Oct 4, 2010 12:31:45 GMT -5
I nodded. "He did, my lady." I could feel that they were getting nervous with me being there. Mayhap it would be wise to leave once I present my gift to Jareth's niece.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 11, 2010 18:29:11 GMT -5
I nodded at her answer. Calmly Ana, she's just a messenger, I told myself, though now I was left wondering why Gentian House was trying to curry favour now of all times.
"Well thank you for coming. There are refreshments in the next room," I said with a weak smile. If the girl knew what was good for her, she would hear the dismissal and move on. I was not in the mood for those who wanted something from me.
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Post by Kaden nó Gentian on Oct 11, 2010 21:09:02 GMT -5
"Thank you." I stood. I could see now was not the time to tell her what I saw prior to coming. Besides, I wasn't sure if she knew yet herself. I gave a small curtsy before moving so if there was any behind me they could greet her. So, I headed for the red haired woman who seemed to be in a similar state as the Duchess. If I was correct in my memory, Octavier did brief me before I came, she was the new Duchess since she was Jareth's heir.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 13, 2010 18:59:03 GMT -5
The adept left, and I huffed, "Some nerve Octavier has. I ought to give him a piece of my mind."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 15, 2010 11:39:42 GMT -5
"I have half a mind to do so as well," I replied, my normally perfect posture slipping as I slumped a little against Gabriel. "But I don't know if I could get up the energy to be properly belligerent." I looked at the wrapped gift in my hand and put it aside for now. I would open it later when I wasn't upset.
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Gabriel Shahrizai
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Oct 16, 2010 21:01:23 GMT -5
My arms went around her completely, cradling her gently. "Then I will be your proxy and do it for you," I told her. Softly, I kissed the top of her head. "Must you really play hostess? I think you could rightly remove yourself."
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Post by Alora d'Aiglemort on Oct 16, 2010 23:54:54 GMT -5
I looked over to where Ana was with Gabriel and saw some one I didn't recognize. Judging by her demeanor and how she was kneeling, I would say that she was from the Night Court. It looked like Ana didn't like having the adept present, but I didn't see the problem since said adept wasn't making any. After a few minutes, I saw the adept stand, curtsy, then headed for me. I started to panic. What did she say to Ana? Obviously she said the right things, otherwise she would have left in a hurry after some yelling on Ana's part. I did what I could to keep a calm, but sadden, face while I panicked inside.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 24, 2010 17:38:32 GMT -5
My eyes closed as I felt tears threaten again, brought on by Gabriel's caring embrace. I was so lucky to have him and Soleil by my side today, I wasn't sure how I would do it without them. "I was going to say a few words," I whispered, realizing that I was clutching my stomach and forcing myself to relax my arm. "Would you ask Alora if she would? I'm not sure I can manage." Truth was I probably could, but after the warning the chirgeon gave me, I was afraid of pushing myself too far.
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Post by Kaden nó Gentian on Oct 24, 2010 21:19:11 GMT -5
I approached the red headed woman and curtsied as deep as I did for Duchess Ana. "Lady Alora," I said. "Dowayne Octavier sent me to bring the deepest sympathies of House Gentian. Please accept this gift on our behalf." I didn't know what this woman would say or do after hearing what I just said. I kept my curtsy, hoping she would acknowledge my presence.
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Gabriel Shahrizai
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Oct 26, 2010 17:38:31 GMT -5
I glanced across at Soliel. “If you would speak to Alora, I will take Ana to her room,” I said.
Then I asked Ana, “Can you walk that far?” I didn’t at all like how weak and worn she felt.
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Post by Alora d'Aiglemort on Oct 28, 2010 0:07:57 GMT -5
I looked at the Gentian adept who had held out the gift. I wasn't aware that Ana invited any adepts. I had no problem, though it seemed a little... impersonal for the adept to be here. I accepted the gift she had brought. "Thank you," I said. "There are refreshments in the other room." I leaned in so only she could hear, "though I would suggest you not ware out your welcome," and straighten.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 30, 2010 14:47:39 GMT -5
"Of course I will," I said to Gabriel. "I can manage the guests for you, Ana. I'll come up later."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Nov 1, 2010 23:24:23 GMT -5
I nodded and rose, maybe a touch slower than normally. "I'll make it," I said. Perhaps it was pride, but I wanted to be as strong as I could on Jareth's day. Besides it wouldn't hurt anyone, especially with Gabriel hovering. I couldn't blame him, I rarely admitted to any sort of weakness.
And there was a part of me that felt very weak right now.
I handed the Gentian girl's gift to a servant to be dealt with later, and Gabriel and I headed upstairs, away from the noise of the gathered guests.
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Gabriel Shahrizai
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Nov 2, 2010 0:26:41 GMT -5
Letting her set the pace, I walked with Ana until we reached her rooms. I shut the door behind us and then gathered her in my arms again.
“Oh love, I am so very sorry,” I murmured, cradling her to me.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Nov 2, 2010 20:11:40 GMT -5
I started to shudder, and then I started to sob. It was just all too much. I could be strong in public - or as strong as I could manage - but the private setting caused the grief to come crashing down on me. The reality is just to harsh.
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Gabriel Shahrizai
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Nov 4, 2010 17:46:52 GMT -5
I made soft noises of comfort as I gently guided her to the couch and then down to sit, still holding her. My hand caressed her hair softly and I let her cry.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Nov 5, 2010 9:50:06 GMT -5
I cried until the tears began to ebb, and then I tried to make myself stop. "I'm sorry," I managed, whispering. "I just... it's so hard without him. We were supposed to get married today."
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Gabriel Shahrizai
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Nov 5, 2010 17:46:33 GMT -5
“I wish I could bring him back to you,” I said, still holding her. “Ah love, I know it’s so inadequate, but I am so sorry.”
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Nov 8, 2010 0:33:36 GMT -5
I pulled back enough to wipe my tears away. "Thank you," I whispered, trying to pull myself together. "Life was supposed to get easier. I had a partner, we were going to get married and have children together. He was so good to me Gabriel. And now... I have to do it alone." I looked down to where my hand lay protectively over my torso over more. "I need to tell you something that I haven't told anyone else. Not even Jareth knew, I was coming home to tell him when..."
I swallowed, knowing that by telling someone else, I was making it real. "I'm pregnant."
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Gabriel Shahrizai
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Nov 8, 2010 2:42:36 GMT -5
A rush of emotions went through me with her news.
I settled on happiness. Reaching out, I gently laid my hand atop hers. "Congratulations," I said, smiling softly. "and you are not alone, you will never be alone. I am here for anything you need."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Nov 13, 2010 14:47:07 GMT -5
"Thank you," I whispered raggedly, my other hand coming up to rest on the back of his. It should have been Jareth doing this for the first time, but if there was a man in my life now that I would have touching my stomach, it was Gabriel. "I know that you're probably not... Thank you."
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Gabriel Shahrizai
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Nov 15, 2010 14:31:53 GMT -5
“I am happy for you,” I told her, leaning in and kissing her temple gently. “I promise I will be here for anything you need, anytime.”
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Nov 16, 2010 21:06:45 GMT -5
I nodded and sniffed, trying to keep from weeping again. "That's part of the reason I asked you to come when I meet with the Queen. Jareth didn't... wasn't able to recognize the little boy or girl growing inside me. He didn't even know that I was pregnant. The chirgeon thinks I shouldn't worry about a claim on Jareth's title, he's too afraid the stress will cause me to miscarry. But the stress of not knowing, of worrying whether or not our child will be properly recognized... I can't do nothing, I can't just wait."
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Gabriel Shahrizai
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Nov 18, 2010 13:31:01 GMT -5
“Love, I will be with you for whatever you need,” I told her. “The Queen can’t help but recognize your child, it is well known that you and Aretha were committed to each other; this child could only be his.”
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Nov 23, 2010 0:28:09 GMT -5
"I just hope Sabrina feels that way too," I said. But something inside me had relaxed, for he had believed me. After our fight, I hadn't been sure. "And Alora."
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Gabriel Shahrizai
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Nov 24, 2010 0:13:29 GMT -5
I'd forgotten there would be someone else with a claim the child's title. "Do you think she will cause problems for you?"
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Nov 27, 2010 16:25:18 GMT -5
I sat on the couch and watched the mourners. Several came up to me to ask where Ana was, and I explained, promising to pass on their condolences and platitudes. Some brought gifts, though unlike that of the Gentian, these came from friends and relatives and were much more seemly. The air in the room was tense and sad. I knew that people were curious about the succession, but I would do nothing to fuel that rumor mill.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Nov 29, 2010 23:11:29 GMT -5
"Honestly? I have such a hard time reading that girl, I don't know," I admitted, making myself breath deeply despite the sudden anxiety. Knowledge was power, and not knowing how Alora was going to react to the news made me nervous. "I can't even tell if she likes me, or just puts up with me because I was going to be family."
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Gabriel Shahrizai
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Dec 2, 2010 22:27:56 GMT -5
I thought over what she’d said. “Would you like me to speak to her?” I asked, willing to do whatever might help.
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