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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Dec 10, 2010 15:36:04 GMT -5
I wouldn't blush again - I absolutely would not, no matter what he said or what I did. Checking a sigh at myself before it could come out, I folded my menu again, just about to tuck my hands in my lap when he stretched his hand across the table and caressed the back of mine with his little finger. That, coupled with his whispered words brought goosebumps to my arms, but I struggled to keep control over myself, to not color again like a witless girl.
"You're as rakish as you ever were," I said softly, shaking my head with a smile as I looked at him. "I could pick out a few new clothes for you as well, if you'd like.. Pink is all the rage this season, and I'm positive you'd look smashing in a fuchsia dublet." Tease twinkled in my eyes, and I grinned at him as we sat; I couldn't picture Mat in anything near that.
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Post by Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue on Dec 10, 2010 15:44:38 GMT -5
I kept caressing the soft flesh of the back of her hand as it felt so wonderfully good. I answered "not as much a rake as I once was." I then looked up to her and even though I knew she was teasing I answered "you know I would wear whatever you wanted to put me in. I have no one to impress." I swallowed then and folded my menu as well but did not stop touching her "if you wanted to I would certainly cover the costs. Just like lunch is on me now."
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Dec 10, 2010 16:11:06 GMT -5
I laughed - I couldn't help it. "Elua, I don't know if pink is truly in or not.. I haven't been to court in months. I'd thought that was why we hadn't seen each other, but I'm not sure if you've been around either." I was well aware of the caresses he gave the back of my hand, and my mind worked and tumbled; I didn't know what to do. Yves was good and kind to me, and I thought I could fall in love with him very easily, but I wasn't sure what was going to happen with anybody anymore. "My life has had more twists and turns than an Eglantine performance," I murmured softly, almost under my breath. "I can only imagine that yours has, too."
I could see the server returning with our teas, and I shifted my hand, my fingers giving his a soft squeeze before I pulled back again, tucking my hands in my lap. The server set our drinks upon the table smoothly and inquired of our decisions; I smiled and ordered the broth and steamed early spring vegetables, my eyes going to Mat for him to place his own. "It sounded good," I conceded before he could say anything, my smile flashing a little more.
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Post by Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue on Dec 10, 2010 16:23:03 GMT -5
She pulled away and I felt the loss indeed it hurt. I was too sensitive, but when I thought on things the fact that no one in this whole world wanted me stung I could not help it. My face drooped and I looked down. I placed my order for the broth and vegetables as I had decided and then watched the waitress depart trying to look any place but at Auri.
I at last looked back to her and did my best to put a brave face on things "good, lets hope it does not hit my stomach like a batch of green apples." My stomach actually growled and I realized I was hungry but truth be told I felt like shit once more.
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Dec 10, 2010 16:39:43 GMT -5
I laughed and smiled, and he fell back into despair again, starting when I pulled my hand back from his. Elua, I hadn't meant anything by it, just clearing the table for the server to place our drinks down unhindered, but he'd seemed to take it personally. My smile slipped and fell too, and for a long moment I was caught in what to say, or how to act. For years I'd lain with men and women for the sake of Naamah, but I'd never done it out of kindness, never out of compassion. I wanted to with Mat, but I was afraid he'd want more, want things I didn't know if I could give right now, not with Yves on my mind. But Elua, looking at him from across the table, so obviously hurt and needful, even when he tried to smile...
I'd do it, I knew, and I'd take the consequences as they came. I truly liked Yves and wanted to know him better, but I'd loved Mat before I'd even known Damien, had been ready to lay my heart at his feet if he so much as hinted at it.. but it never was to become. I just needed to figure out how to help Mat without hurting him further.
Reaching my hands across the table, I cupped his one in both of mine, holding it gently, not flinching away. My fingers caressed over his palm before stilling, buy my eyes watched his almost hesitantly. "Mat.." I said softly. "I want to be honest with you... there's someone.. a man, Yves. We're not together, not as a couple, but..." Elua, I was fuddling it. Leaving the subject where it lay, I brought his hand to my lips and kissed his fingertips, my eyes closing briefly at the smell of his flesh. "Naamahs arts have healing powers, too... I could show you, if you'd allow me."
There, as plainly as I could say it. I watched him quietly, curiously, but afraid he'd turn away, that he would be offended at what I said. Only a d'Angeline would truly understand the importance of Naamahs arts, at least in full, but it didn't do anything to ease the knot in my stomach.
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Post by Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue on Dec 10, 2010 16:55:54 GMT -5
I let her take my hand and absorbed what she said. I did my best to not look crest fallen but I was probably failing miserably. At last I looked at her and figured I would just get it out there between us. "Auri, I figured you would have someone around. You are too special not to." I sighed "it really hurt when we parted as I planned on marrying you. But with you serving Naamah I understand that was not in the cards."
I sipped my tea and starred at the table "and you can show me anything you like and it does not have to be physical. Seeing you I feel like someone tossed me a life preserver." I gave a bitter chuckle I am just very sad that you got away from me but there was nothing I could do to stop it. So now I am sitting here with even more regrets than I had before because I did not realize how special you were until others did a number on me. I simply did not appreciate you."
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Dec 10, 2010 19:49:05 GMT -5
Marrying me. Even now it sent a shock through me, and I froze from where I held his hand close to my mouth, watching him as he picked up his tea and sipped at it without looking at me. What would life have been like, if things had turned out differently? He wouldn't be broken, I knew, but neither would I have met Yves.
I hesitated, and released my hold on his hand reluctantly; I didn't pull back, but I didn't hold him anymore, either, merely let my hands relax around the outside of his. "You did appreciate me," I said softly.By now, I was blind and oblivious to everything else around me; the murmur and buzz of the bistro was distant, like someone else heard it. "You were the first person to ever look at me as more than just a pretty face in a perfect House... You were the person who breathed life into me, showed me there was more to the world than just the Night Court." I smiled softly, and despite myself, I took his hand again and opened it so I could lay my face against his palm. I stayed where I was for a long moment before picking my head up again, sighing softly, the smile gone. "But I don't want to hurt you any more than I already have... if you'd rather go, I understand, or if you prefer I can take my leave." I didn't want to, and I didn't think he wanted me to, but I had to give him this chance, I had to know that if we did try to renew our friendship in truth, it was because he wanted it and wasn't just being polite. "You're a special man, Mathieu L'Envers... you've just lost sight of that."
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Post by Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue on Dec 10, 2010 20:12:36 GMT -5
When she moved my hand I laid my palm against her cheek as she clearly desired and listened to her kind words. My fingers moved to stroke her cheek as she did so and I dipped my head a bit. "Well, I am glad you have fond memories of me. I have fond memories of you as well even when you told me you had found someone else." The irony of the situation being similar right now was not lost on me at all.
I laid my hand on the table top when she released it and looked at her. "And I think we know neither of us want to leave so lets stop beating ourselves up over that. Mayhap we need to stop agonizing over it all and just let what happens happen without trying to plan out our entire lives." I leaned back as the serving lass brought our meal and placed it in front of us. I thanked her and when she had gone I carried on.
I looked at her and then reached for her hand once more "unless I am mistaking your words I think you were just asking me for a date of sorts. Without any real expectations but asking none the less and if that is the case then I would be most honored." I was not sure I had gotten her quite right but I was trying. She offered Naamah's blessing in the same breath she told me she was in love with another man. But our people have always been odd when it comes to such things and hard to get a solid fix on.
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Dec 12, 2010 16:49:15 GMT -5
Gods, how could he not see how special he was? Even in the middle of a heartbreak he tried to soothe me while I tried to soothe him. When he reached for my hand, I gave it to him without hesitating, glad to be over that hurdle. I cared for Yves, though how much yet I didn't know, but that didn't mean my heart was ice. Love as thou wilt; truly, there was more meaning than one.
"Alright," I agreed after a moment, my smile softening the lines of my mouth. "No more talk of that.. I just had to be sure." My fingers shifted a little, a small stroke over the outside of his thumb as I answered him. "And yes.. I suppose I was asking for a date of sorts.. I hadn't thought about it like that before. But you've accepted," I added, my smile blooming as I picked up my spoon with my free hand. Spooning a little broth onto it, I watched Mathieu a moment more before finally setting to eat, my smile never leaving my face.
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Post by Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue on Dec 12, 2010 17:13:29 GMT -5
I leaned back and set about the task of eating as well. I took my time and ate slowly and carefully as I expected even this light meal to hit my stomach pretty bad, but I had to start someplace. After a bit I paused and looked over at her "So what do you have in mind?" I smiled a bit "I know I need to clean up but I need to know how much I need to clean up."
I began to eat once more and took an occasional sip of my tea. "To be honest I have no clue of what is the current buzz about the city. Not that I really care very much at this particular point in time."
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Dec 12, 2010 18:22:11 GMT -5
I laughed softly, unable to help myself at his words. "You don't have to clean up any more than you want to. Mayhap we should make our way back to your home, or rent a room somewhere if that doesn't suit." I wasn't sure what he would feel like, though he had invited me back to his home once already. The thought of being in the L'Envers home once more with Mat was.. exciting, almost, but even a rented room with him held it's appeal. I hoped I could help him find his smile again, even if just for tonight. Spooning vegetables, I chewed thoroughly, consciously aware of what I was doing to keep food from being stuck between my teeth.
"There's a small oils shoppe near here I'd like to visit quickly, if you don't mind," I added, smiling at him. I was nearly done eating; truly, my old habits from Camellia were back once more, for better or worse.
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Post by Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue on Dec 12, 2010 18:31:18 GMT -5
I finished up my meal and smiled as her suggestions brought back all sorts of pleasant and quite heady recollections. It felt as if years had been taken off of my age and a massive weight off my shoulders. I was also doing the best I could to just think of the present and not the future as I had seen to my own dismay fate has a way of ot turning out quite like one expected. "Making our way back to my home sounds quite wonderful really. As does the chance to make a stop with you if you are so inclined."
She had painted some nice mental pictures in my mind with little or no effort on her own part. That was in fact quite a talent. But still I did my level best to not let the prospects drag me too far down a path I might regret. Shattered hopes and dreams are such painful things after all.
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Dec 12, 2010 19:04:38 GMT -5
For all I pretended not to, I watched him as he ate, careful and tentative, but steadfast all the same. Finishing the last of my tea, I sat back a little, my hand still in Mathieus and my smile still on my mouth. "Then it's settled," I responded, giving his hand a little squeeze. I was ready to leave, but I wasn't sure if he was yet; if he wanted to keep eating I was more than happy to sit here til he was finished, though I didn't really think he wanted to based off of everything he said before.
"Are you ready?" I queried gently, my eyes taking in his beautiful violet.
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Post by Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue on Dec 12, 2010 19:15:43 GMT -5
"As ready as I will ever be" I squeezed her hand back. "I will get the bill" I dug in my pouch looking for adequate coin to cover a tip and the bill. It had been so long since I had even thought about spending coin that I honestly had no idea what was in my pouch. I was pleased though to find that I seemed to have it covered. I figured my sister would be pleased with my recent thriftiness but I chased that thought away. I had, had more than enough dark feelings and emotions as of late.
And with that I released her hand and stood after leaving the funds on the table. I even moved to help her by pulling out her chair. My manners were rusty from disuse but I still had them at least I was a royal cousin after all. Of course that thought also lead down a dark path so I resolutely sent my mind in other directions simply concentrating on matters at hand.
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Dec 12, 2010 19:52:55 GMT -5
And like that, we were done, lunch was paid for and I was standing next to him. "Thank you for lunch," I said quietly if warmly, for all the world feeling like an adept contracted once more. In one way, I was, but in so many more ways I wasn't. Tonight, I was Naamahs servant. Tonight, I was Mathieus friend. Tonight.
Gently, I took his arm again and let him lead me to the door and beyond. Gesturing the direction of the oil shoppe, I let myself stay right next to him as we walked, not so close that our hips brushed, but not quite as far away as I had been on our way in. I tried not to think of how thin he was, but if nothing else I knew I was doing the right thing, and I stopped fretting over that then.
"Wait here," I begged with a suddenly bright smile as we reached the doors of the oil shoppe. On impulse, I leaned up on toe and brushed a kiss upon his cheek, then turned and made my way inside, heading for what I'd come for. A bare moment later I was outside again, my purse lighter, but my smile fuller than it had been before. A small sack hung at my wrist, and I took his arm again. "I'm ready when you are," I said warmly, excitement and happiness writ across my features.
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Post by Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue on Dec 12, 2010 20:11:36 GMT -5
"You are welcome" I said in response and as we went to the door I held it for her. We then trailed down the street arm in arm in a companionable light manner. I did not really know quite what to make of it all so many things had changed so quickly it was more than a bit overwhelming. If I was honest with myself I could not really even recall leaving the house before this little adventure began.
When we stopped at the store I waited for her sitting on a bench. I just plain did not have the strength or inclination to be on my feet very long. When she emerged from the shop I stood and peered at her bag "any chance you will give me a hint as to what you bought?" I doubted she would but a fellow could try. There was something a bit different about her manner though and I could not put my finger on it no matter how hard I tried. I probably should not have wasted the energy on it after all since I was so out of practice when it came to social interactions.
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Dec 12, 2010 20:30:18 GMT -5
Poor Mat. For all we hadn't gone far and I'd been quick inside the shoppe, he was still tired and worn from the day. My heart ached for him, and I brought my free hand up to cup over the top of the arm I held; the feeling of walking with a feeble old man came back again. How could this have happened to him of all people? How could it have been allowed to happen? It wasn't fair of me and I knew it, but for a moment, I was worried, enough that it swept my smile away again.
"Something that I think you'll like," I said gently, not trying to be coy, but realizing after I spoke that I very much sounded it. "And something I hope will make you feel better. Would you like me to find a coach for hire to take us to your townhome?" That he was tired was painfully obvious; he stood straight, but there was a look people got around their eyes that he had now. I was too forward, too bold, talking too much; I felt a right fool, but a right fool who was worried and trying not to be.
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Post by Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue on Dec 12, 2010 20:40:47 GMT -5
"I can walk just fine" I smiled "I have not been taking care of myself as we have figured out but there is nothing fatal about it. It is just something that a little rest and a little food will fix." I did not feel horrible. Not like one of those who had survived the plague. I just did not feel really at my best either. But all the same I could see Auri's manner change a bit once more when she became concerned. It was rather charming as if her concern overcame all those manners that had been drilled into her over the years.
"I am sure I will like whatever you got. You are quite skilled at such things and I think you know me relatively well." As we resumed our walk I was not in an overt hurry. Indeed it was much like we were doing a little window shopping along the way even though we were not.
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Dec 12, 2010 20:58:14 GMT -5
I followed him as he set out, and before long we fell into a comfortable swing of strolling along, arm in arm, as if we had all the time in the world.. which, I reflected, we did. My bonnet securely on my head again, I looked up at him from under its brim as we walked along, giving him a soft smile. "I promise not to make you smell too pretty," I said after a time, my smile lifting a little more in very light tease. The air was fresh, still a touch cool, but the sun felt wonderfully warm to me as it fell across us. "It's so lovely outside.. I think spring is my favorite of the seasons."
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Post by Mathieu L'Envers de Montegue on Dec 12, 2010 21:28:32 GMT -5
"I like spring as well" I answered and looked at her bonnet. "Though I have to admit I never pictured you as a bonnet type lass" a small smile spread across my face as we walked. "As for making me smell pretty I think you would have a considerable task on your hands to accomplish that."
We soon approached the house I shared with my sister. Of course I suspected she was out of the City for now but I really could not say for sure. I was hard pressed to recall the last time I had seen her in spite of sharing holdings and a home with her. I had done a lot of keeping to myself the last few months. All the same I opened the door for her still working on being a proper gentleman.
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