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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2010 9:18:42 GMT -5
I was feeling better my leg was improving though I was still in the dam carriage and not on proper horse back. I had no doubt managed to utterly baffle Olivia which was after all the point. And now I went to face Ana and it was a task that made my heart heavy as the Duchess was a wonderful woman and I could not begin to imagine the grief she felt.
Leaving my coach with the stewards I approached the house having told the outside servants to leave us. They were Shahrizai servants so my word was not questioned as I knocked on the door my own dam self. In deference to the loss I had even come unarmed so as not to bring back painful memories. After knocking I folded my hands behind my back and waited to see which servant opened the portal for me. They would most likely be dismissed as well since some matters were very private.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2010 15:44:03 GMT -5
I was finding more fulfillment than I had ever imagined I would as working for the Duchess. I felt I had a purpose here and it was a blessing to be away from all the painful memories of Valerian.
I had just finished sorting the post when I heard a knock on the door. Glancing up, I didn’t see anyone else close so I went to answer.
Opening the door, I couldn’t help but be surprised at who was on the other side.
“My lord,” I said, curtseying.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 10, 2010 16:06:13 GMT -5
Douleur opened the door and I smiled my predator's smile. She was who I really had in mind when my schemes began to take shape but I would never steal from Ana. "It is good to see you Douleur" After she rose from her curtsy I stepped forward and gave her the kiss of greeting on each cheek the gesture perhaps lingering a bit long before I stepped back. "Olivia had told me you came to work for Ana."
I cleared my throat "speaking of which I just returned to town and I came to offer my respects and condolences."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 11, 2010 0:51:45 GMT -5
My cheek warmed under his kiss, my flesh remembering the other times he’s touched me.
“The Duchess is in her room at the moment, but if you’d like to wait her study I can go tell her you’re here,” I told him, motioning to the appropriate door. I knew he should be received in somewhere a little more private. “Would you care for some tea or wine?”
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 11, 2010 6:05:09 GMT -5
"Thank you, no refreshments either." I smiled at her fondly "and I would not mind catching up with you a bit either if it is acceptable to you and The Lady." In an after thought I added "you look well." I then turned toward the study and limped in that direction. I was well aware that Douleur would note the limp and that chaffed at me a bit but it could not be helped. Once in Ana's study I made myself comfortable.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 11, 2010 21:06:59 GMT -5
I couldn’t help but smile as he mentioned catching up with me. I wondered just how far he would want to go. The Duchess held my marque, so anything beyond conversation he would need her permission for, but I would not object.
My smile faded a little as I noticed his limp.
Wondering what had happened, I made my way to the Duchess’s room. I knocked gently on the door, “My lady,” I said, letting her know it was me.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Dec 12, 2010 1:50:37 GMT -5
My ledgers and accounts were open on my desks, but I had left them to stare out the window. It wasn't that I was feeling sorry for myself, I was just feeling... empty. I would have been lost, useless for anything if it hadn't been for the babe growing inside me. Instead I was far more pensive than normal, and far closer to tears.
"Come in Douleur," I called, turning slightly to see her enter. She at least was not a disappointment. Douleur had settled in well, learned quickly, and generally seemed to be finding a certain level of contentment here.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 12, 2010 2:12:10 GMT -5
Entering, I closed the door behind me before I curtseied politely.
"My lady, my lord Gadelon is here and has asked to see you," I told her as I rose.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Dec 13, 2010 0:30:34 GMT -5
The news surprised me. "Gad is back?" This was a very welcome surprise. "Thank you Douleur. Would you mind fetching some tea?"
I glanced quickly in the glass and smoothed my gown over my stomach. It wasn't going to help though, I looked drawn and tired. Gods I looked old. I sighed, for there was nothing I could do, and went down to greet my old friend.
"Glad to see you're still alive," I said as I entered the sitting room, a genuine smile on my face. "Welcome home." I gave him a kiss of greeting without hesitation.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 13, 2010 8:24:42 GMT -5
When I heard her coming I stood and by placing my weight on my good leg I managed to not show my injury. This was not about me not in the least so I did not plan to tip that particular little scratch any more than I had to. When she leaned in to give me the kiss of greeting I did not let her get away and simply wrapped my arms snugly around her in a familiar and comforting hug.
"I am sorry Ana, I am so sorry. It is not an adequate thing to say but it is all I have." I then let her go, I was secure enough to be very familiar with the lady, but in the end how much familiarity I was allowed was her choice.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Dec 13, 2010 15:52:50 GMT -5
I opened my mouth to reply, but there was a lump in my throat suddenly, and I had to take a moment before I could speak. "Thank you," I whispered. "It's been... really difficult."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 13, 2010 17:07:06 GMT -5
"I am sure it has" was my only response as I took her hand and helped her to a seat. "I heard when I got back into the country and I wanted to offer you my respects." I gave her a smile "after all you are my favorite cousin."
Working on not limping too badly I took a seat myself. "And also I asked about Douleur at Valerian and found she was in your service now. I am sure she is a great comfort to you." Then trying to lighten the mood a bit I winked and added "especially since you beat me to her."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Dec 13, 2010 18:28:54 GMT -5
His irreverence made me smile, it always had. "Here I had thought you had enough on your plate with Sarielle. But Douleur has indeed been a great help. I don't know what I would have done these last few weeks without her. She's kept my affairs in order when my mind has been... elsewhere."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 13, 2010 19:26:32 GMT -5
I smiled "I have been gone a while so I am not sure where things are with Sarielle to be honest." I shrugged "it was a good and profitable trip though I find I return to the City in much better status than I left." I then folded my hands in my lap "I am glad that she has been a comfort to you and I hope you realizes if you need any assistance from me all you have to do is ask."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 13, 2010 21:16:15 GMT -5
Following the Duchess’s orders, I went to the kitchens and had a tray made up; tea and a few biscuits I knew that she liked. I worried that she wasn’t eating enough to support the babe she carried; her grief was just so great.
When it was arranged, I carried the tray into her study. I heard Gadelon offering her his assistance should she need it as I set the tray on a side table. I stood silently to the side until my lady chose to acknowledge me.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Dec 14, 2010 0:28:14 GMT -5
"Thank you Gadleon for your support. I have a feeling that I might have to call on it over the next eighteen and a half years. Jareth didn't die soon enough for some," I commented, placing my hand protectively over my belly. I didn't know if the rumour of my pregnancy had yet to spread. I hadn't announced it, and wouldn't until the chance of a miscarriage had decreased, but that didn't mean that someone on my staff couldn't have talked. But even if he hadn't heard, I was fairly certain that Gad could figure it out from my hints.
I glanced at Douleur then, waiting as patiently as ever. I nodded to her to indicate that she could serve us. "Thank you Douleur. Gad, would you like some tea? I have been living on it since the chirgeon advised against liquor."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 14, 2010 6:55:12 GMT -5
Her manner and gestures made it clear she was with child and I smiled as Ana would be an excellent mother. "Well congratulations My Lady" I dipped my head "and while I doubt I am the parenting type I do come from a family of 7 and I am the babe so I suspect I have seen all the ways things can go and be done wrong. I am always here to help."
I then looked up to Douleur and in spite of myself gave her lithe figure a once over. There were days I really hated myself. "Tea would be very nice" I then looked back to Ana and I do hope you are eating along with drinking tea."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 14, 2010 16:27:03 GMT -5
At the Duchess’s word, I began to pour her tea, making it exactly as I knew she liked. I was just finished when I felt more than saw Gadleon’s eyes move over me, and it was all I could do not to tremble. I poured his tea as well, plain since he’d not said otherwise, and then set the cups where they could reach them before withdrawing once more.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Dec 18, 2010 15:56:09 GMT -5
Douleur had slyly added my favourite biscuits to the saucers, and I nearly shook my head. "No one worried about my eating habits a month ago," I replied ruefully. I picked up the biscuit and took a bite. "There, happier now?"
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 18, 2010 16:32:29 GMT -5
I smiled my feline smile at her "well I was not here a month ago and I suspect before so much tragedy you ate properly." I then got a horridly amused smile on my face as I turned my head and speared Douleur with my gaze as I sipped my tea. Then lowering my cup a added in my most sibilant and commanding tones "Douleur be a dear and make sure Ana takes care of herself like she should. You would not wish to disappoint me now would you?" I quirked a brow at the tasty little Valerian as I pulled out every ounce of my Shahrizai born presence.
I then turned back to Ana and gave her a roguish smile as I did my best to lighten the mood "there that should take care of that. Now even when I am not here I have my minion to make sure you take care of yourself."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 19, 2010 15:29:23 GMT -5
Merciful Kushiel! In the time I had been here in the Duchess’s home, no one had come so close to making me lose my composure as Gadleon was doing. There was a gnawing ache between my thighs and it was all I could do to stay upright.
I looked down, trying to slow my breathing, which had grown shallow and rapid.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 19, 2010 15:36:49 GMT -5
I of course noted the affect I had on Ana's poor charge and I watched out of the corner of my eye as I joked with the Lady. But then something that any family servant should do and Douleur did not did more than a bit to vex me. I was sure Ana would reign me in soon but this was amusing and I considered it my small part to lift her spirits.
I turned my attention back to the Valerian as I could feel my sparkling blue eyes all but shooting sparks at her and my teeth hooked over my lower lip "Douleur!" I did not raise my voice indeed it had dipped lower into the intimate tone range "you did not answer me. You are a Shahrizai servant now and my family has the finiest servants in all the land. That means you answer when addressed!" My tone threatened punishments of the most intimate and sublime kind. And yes I knew I was bound to vex Ana but at least if she chose to berate me it would lift her spirits and distract her.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 19, 2010 15:42:19 GMT -5
The blood that had been rushing to my most sensitive regions, changed course in an instant, spreading out to color my skin in a hot blush.
“My lord, forgive me,” I said, still looking down. “You were speaking to the Duchess again and I did not wish to interrupt. I am doing all I am able to take the best care of my lady that I can.”
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 19, 2010 15:48:32 GMT -5
I raised a brow at that and then let my tongue tip slide over my upper lip "its alright Douleur, but do take care to look at me when I address you." I was setting her up for failure with every word I spoke of course as no matter what she did I would find some fault with it. It was all part of the game of stalking after all and it was rather refreshing to have a skilled playmate to play with. "You know if you were not Anacrasia's I would have to address this with you in a bit more of an intimate setting?" If that did not up the frustration level exponentially nothing would. But well it was what I did, and it had been way too long since I had given my nature free reign.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 19, 2010 16:12:07 GMT -5
“Yes, my lord,” I answered, my voice breaking slightly as I looked at him. My gaze moved to the Duchess, unsure of what she wanted me to do, to entertain her family as he so obviously wanted or not.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Dec 21, 2010 1:37:56 GMT -5
I finished the biscuit as they spoke. He clearly enjoyed toying with Douleur, but it just made me tired. I didn't have any energy for games, and couldn't possibly think about coupling so soon after Jareth's death.
"Oh, stop playing with the poor girl Gad, you're only going to wind her up and then leave her frustrated," I told him before taking a sip of tea. "And I'm distracted enough for the both of us right now."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 21, 2010 6:40:45 GMT -5
I gave Ana my best chastised look that really was not very good or chastised but I tried terribly hard. But then I let it flow into an honest look of concern. "Very well Your Grace and if there is anything I can do to help you manage some affairs do not hesitate to let me know." I considered a moment then added "and since you mentioned Sarielle" there was a pang I had not expected at mentioning her name. I had hardened my heart in my absence all the better to keep me alive "I did plan on calling on her to see where we are. Would you like me to inform you when I know?" I was grasping at straws when it came to lifting Ana's spirits but I was doing my best.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Dec 22, 2010 2:43:50 GMT -5
Gratitude washed over me as the Duchess turned Gadleon’s attentions from me. My affection and adoration for my lady grew stronger in that moment. I wish I could do more to help ease her pain, I promised I would find some way, any way.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Dec 22, 2010 4:01:30 GMT -5
I was very close to smacking him, but realized that he would probably like it. Something about the thought struck me as funny and I started to laugh, softly at first but then with increasing volume. I actually had to fish out my handkerchief to dab at my eyes it made me laugh so hard. "Oh gods you're an impertinent one," I said once I had calmed down.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Dec 22, 2010 6:57:03 GMT -5
Anacrasia started to laugh indeed the humor came so hard to her that she had tears streaming from her eyes. It was wonderful and not unlike the first rays of the sun melting the winter snow in the spring. It brought a smile to my face as the thought "mission accomplished" slithered through my mind. "I am impossible also and many might say incorrigible and those are some of my most endearing characteristics. And it is good to hear you laugh."
I then turned my attention to Douleur "thank you for the assistance in the endeavor pet." I then sipped my tea feeling quite pleased with myself.
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