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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Dec 31, 2010 13:03:13 GMT -5
I'd spent the afternoon since leaving Sarielle's house shopping. When I got to Kendrick's, my carriage was full of purchases, so I sent the driver on to Azriel's.
I hoped that Kendrick would be in a good mood, and amenable to dinner. I hadn't yet been able to drag him over to Azriel's, but maybe seeing how important it was for me to patch things up with Sarielle he would relent.
I rapped on the door, not giving in to my first impulse, which was simply to let myself in. Today was not a day to frustrate or irritate him, as much as I enjoyed those things.
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Jan 2, 2011 18:01:45 GMT -5
I was sleeping. Not dozing, not lightly nodding off, but sprawled out across my bed with my boots still on, sleeping as deep as I could get without being dead. Gradually I became aware that someone was shaking my shoulder, and by reflex my hand snapped out, snatching up whomever was touching me in a vice-like grip.
"Your grace!" A feminine voice squealed, fright so thick in it that that more than the squealing or shaking made me crack open my eyes. "Please, let go, please, I only wanted to let you know that a Lady is here to see you, please..."
Groaning, I focused my eyes on her; Anomi, one of my maids, her cap was askew on her dark, tightly ringleted hair, and I let go of her with jaw-cracking yawn. "Who is it?" I mumbled thickly as I rolled over. Her eyes went down over my body before jerking back up, face heating utterly red, and I gave her a lazy, insolent grin.
"Lady Naia Shahrizai, your grace, she's waiting downstairs for you in the reception room."
Well, that took care of the insolent grin. Frowning softly, I pushed myself up to a sitting position, using the heel of my hand to rub my eyes as I instructed her to let Naia know I'd be down shortly. Part of me wanted to demand what Naia could want, and part of me was oddly.. excited about her being here. With her came my child, and while I hadn't quite decided how I felt about that.. well, it was better than.. Oh hell, I didn't want to finish that thought.
Standing, I became abruptly aware of why the maid blushed as my breeches strained against my phallus, and I smirked for it. It wasn't my fault that happened after I slept. A trip to the lavatory fixed it somewhat before I changed my rumpled shirt for a clean one, and made my way down the stairs to greet her.
"Naia," I said as I entered the reception room, my eyes going from her face and to her stomach straight off. Not much to speak of as far as a bump went, but hell if I knew how big she was supposed to be. "You woke me up."
...Not exactly what I'd meant to say, but I stared at her anyway. Courtly smiling was beyond me right now, but I tried, cracking a grin that likely held less mirth than a headsman swinging an axe.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jan 2, 2011 20:17:34 GMT -5
"Did I?" I asked, when he came strolling in after leaving me waiting for what seemed like far too long. "I didn't realize that you'd be sleeping so early in the evening ... or had you not gotten up for the day yet?" I had gotten one of his staff to pour me a glass of water, so I paused to take a sip before rising from the small couch I'd been sitting on. I was irritated that I did so with considerably less grace than I used to, and by the time I was in a standing position, smoothing my skirt over my belly, I really wanted to kick him in the shins. Hard.
But I didn't, since I was here begging favors. "Anyway, I thought I'd come see how you were getting along," I said, moving closer to him and letting my eyes roam over him. "Aside from sleeping and needing to shave, that is."
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Jan 3, 2011 14:25:03 GMT -5
My crude attempt at a smile slid off my face as she spoke, sounding for all the world to my ears like a haughty twit who had come to stare down her nose at me. A stubborn, muley frown crossed my features, and I crossed my arms over my chest as I stared at her, staring down the inches to her pretty, infuriating Shahrizai face as she slowly made her way to me, her eyes sliding over me in a criticizing fashion.
"I'm just fine, thank you," I replied curtly, and my frown deepened as I realized I was rubbing a hand over my jaw and chin, pricks of stubble stabbing at my skin. Lucky for her she hadn't mentioned a need to bathe or some other cock-brained idea; I detested shirking cleanliness.
I didn't know what she wanted, and I was wary.. I was always wary around Naia, she'd knocked my feet out from under me more than one time, and now that she was pregnant I didn't know how to handle her. I couldn't just turn her over and lift her skirts to spank her bare arse, and I found too that I couldn't scream at her as I desperately wanted to sometimes. What in Naamahs tits was she doing to me? I stared at her accusingly, my muley frown setting further into my face, refusing to crack my teeth to make small talk.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jan 4, 2011 0:35:56 GMT -5
I was already getting his back up, and I wasn't even trying. I changed tactics and simply shrugged, reaching up to run my finger over his cheeks. "Although, this look suits you." I took another drink of my water and then gestured toward the bar. "Would you like me to get you a drink?" I doubted he was buying my overly solicitous attitude, but then again, I wasn't always a bitch, and especially not when I wanted something.
"Come on, I came over to visit, not to argue, so smile a little and pretend you're happy to see me." It hurt a tiny bit, that he wasn't, but I pushed that feeling as far away as I could, not about to let him see that there was something else underneath the insults and flippancy.
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Jan 4, 2011 23:27:35 GMT -5
I sighed, my arms dropping down from where I'd folded them across my chest. "Serving me in my own home?" I asked incredulously, though I didn't argue, but instead sat down and propped my feet up on the ivory-inlaid table in front of the couch I'd sat upon, lounging back with a nonchalant air.
"Whatever suits you," I said by way of answering her question about the drink; really, I didn't care, even if it was just water. Mornings weren't my forte, even if the morning happened to be in the middle of the evening. Smiling was beyond me still, so I ignored that part of her request and instead yawned, my jaw cracking with the effort. "How have you been?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jan 4, 2011 23:36:14 GMT -5
I didn't bother to comment about serving him ... it was something he wouldn't want to get used to. I didn't go for the water for him, instead pouring him a brandy, figuring he must like it or he wouldn't keep it in his sitting room.
"Here," I said, handing it to him and sitting beside him on the couch, though none too close. "I've been well, for the most part," I said, leaning back and running my hand over my belly. "I've stopped being sick morning, noon and night, so that's an improvement. The baby has gotten very active lately, though, and it's a bit irritating at times to have someone performing gymnastics in one's belly. But enough about us, how have you been? I haven't seen much of you lately." I sipped my water, then added hastily, "Not that I missed you or anything."
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Jan 5, 2011 9:53:11 GMT -5
The way she looked at me when I first walked in, the way she sat far away from me now all screamed of detest, and I frowned inwardly for it. Did my breath stink? Maybe, but I didn't think so; she hadn't been close enough yet to smell it save for when she tried making up for her critical looks by touching my face. I wasn't daft enough not to have seen that, just courteous enough not to comment on it to her. Barely. What it was that had her acting like I was a leper I didn't know - I'd even changed my shirt for her!
Taking the drink, I didn't bother thanking her for it, deciding if she could act like a snoot then I could as well. "No, I wouldn't ever think you'd miss me," I said curtly, my decidedly grumpy mood coming back again, and I brought my feet down off the table, sitting up to put my glass down untouched. "I'm glad you and the babe seem to be fine." I stumbled a little over the word babe; the idea of having a child was still surreal to me. "I've been fine. Working, drinking. Working. I've expanded my countryside lands to include a neighboring orchard, and had to liquify a number of assets to come up with the funds.. but it was things my family didn't need anymore anyway." Things I couldn't look at anymore, things that had to be gone before I could return to the estate. Julies dresses and her belongings, everything save for a few precious items that I'd ordered boxed and placed in storage. All of Vincents things, even items that belonged to my father, particular things that.. that I just..
The pain reared in me suddenly, so hard and fast and furious that I was afraid I'd burst with it. My fists clenched, knuckles white, my blood rushed in my ears as I fought it, to push it away and to focus instead on Naia. Naia, who had tricked me into having a child together, even if she claimed it was accident. Naia, who spurned me every chance she got, who came to my home and dressed me down like I was rabble beneath her manicured nail. I glared at her, still fighting my fury and pain, done with pretenses that would inevitably bring more barbs from her to me. I couldn't handle it right now. "Why did you come? We both know it wasn't because you missed me, so you can end that game right now."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jan 9, 2011 11:49:55 GMT -5
I sighed inwardly, why did everything I do seemed to come out wrong? I wanted to put him at ease, just to have a normal conversation, and yet here we were, on opposite ends of the couch, tension thick in the air between us.
"That's good... about your business and lands," I said, attempting to show interest. I was interested, actually, but I was a little bit preoccupied with how I was going to get him to come to dinner. "I'd like to see it some time, your estate." It came out more shyly than I anticipated, and I felt my cheeks heat as I dropped my gaze to my glass. I might have said more, but Kendrick seemed to have tired of my presence already and his usual taciturn demeanor returned full force.
I stiffened, angry at the way my eyes prickled and how I could never seem to find even one person who would just accept me and not be so damn difficult. "I actually came to see if you would come to dinner at my sister's house. I'm trying to mend things between us and she wants to meet you." I wanted to toss my water in his face and storm out, not known for having the famed patience of the rest of my family, but even I knew that such a display would not get me what I wanted - his agreement to come to dinner.
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Jan 10, 2011 16:15:22 GMT -5
She went from looking sad to fiery in a snap of the fingers, and it did absolutely nothing to soothe my own temperament. I scowled at her, leaning forward to pluck my brandy from the table and drink at it as I purposely made her wait for my answer. For a long moment I didn't respond, merely sipped at my drink, swirled it, and sipped at it again before I finally looked at her again.
"Dinner at your sisters house? I get to enjoy your lovely, loving, companionable self all evening long? How simply enthralling that would be. Mayhap I should stuff an adder down my trousers before I leave too, so I can be sure that if the conversation proves to be too much I have an easy way out."
I was just beginning to bear my teeth at her in a mirthless smile, my glass raising to my lips again when suddenly I was hit square in the face with a blast of shockingly cold water. I jumped - how could I not? - and I stared down at my now watered down drink, utterly ruined. My gaze went to hers, accusing, but behind it was the first real amusement I'd felt since she'd arrived.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jan 10, 2011 16:30:33 GMT -5
"Is it too much to ask for you not to be such an insufferable prig?" I raged, wishing I had another glass of water to throw in his face. It had been amazingly satisfying, watching him jump that way. It wasn't to be however, and I didn't want him to see how much his words had hurt, like thorns that worked their way beneath the skin and continued to eat away at you even after the initial injury. Gods, if I had thought trying to trap Gadleon into a pregnancy was a mistake, the night I had let Kendrick slither between my legs had proven to be an even bigger one.
"Fine, don't come." I crossed my arms and glared at him. "I'll tell my sister and Gadleon that you couldn't make it and we'll all just have to make do without your fabulous company." Two could play at this game, after all.
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Jan 10, 2011 16:42:56 GMT -5
Insufferable prig? And I was the one who had water thrown in their face! I scowled again at her, but I didn't really feel it, far too amused that she tossed her water at me and still looked like she wanted to bite me.
Without speaking, I leaned forward and set the glass down again before I regarded her once more, letting her uninvite me and make up excuses as to why I couldn't come.
"Alas, it's too late for that dove," I said, grinning to myself as I settled back again. "You've already told me about it, though you didn't mention Gadleon would be there," I added with a brief frown. "All it takes is me finding out when the dinner is supposed to be, and showing up with flowers and a bottle of Namarrese wine for the hostess, and wouldn't that just make you look like the horses ass? No, I think you're right saddled with me," I added, rather pleased with my horse and saddle pun. Giving her a winning smile, I ignored the water as it slowly trickled down my cheek, though I admittedly didn't like leaning on a wet couch.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jan 10, 2011 23:34:28 GMT -5
A tart retort was on my tongue, but I blinked and then snapped my mouth shut. Had I just gotten what I wanted? Honestly, the man made my head spin sometimes.
"Fine," I said, rising and smoothing out my skirts. I had a carriage full of packages waiting in the car, and a note to write to my sister, letting her know that we accepted her invitation. "I'll let you know when it is," I said, giving him a suspicious look. "Try not to embarass me in front of my sister." I tossed my hair back and crossed my arms once again under my breasts, a posture I seemed to wear all the time in front of him, waiting for his inevitable anger to flare up again, or for him to rescind his 'agreement.'
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Jan 11, 2011 14:26:31 GMT -5
The transformation that came over her face when she realized she's just won the argument was more than slightly amusing, and the winning smile I gave her slid a little towards a mocking one before I caught it.
"Absolutely, pigeon," I said soothingly as I stood up, reaching for my watered down brandy and dumping it in a nearby potted plant. One of these times I was going to find a pet name that irritated her to no ends, and that one I'd stick with. "Let me know what color your dress is too, and I'll make sure to match. Send a fabric sample over too; I'd hate to wear velvet when you're in silk. Besides, that way we can look the sweet little couple that we are. Here," I added as an afterthought before disappearing 'round the corner to a downstairs study. A moment later I was back, stuffing a little sack of coins in her hand. "Buy yourself something pretty."
I grinned openly now, watching her, wondering if she was going to slap me or not. We were hardly a couple, though if it kept another man out from under her skirts while she was pregnant with my child, then I'd play it any way I had to.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jan 11, 2011 23:09:23 GMT -5
Pigeon? What kind of pet name was that? I didn't want him to know I hated it, though, because knowing him that would just make his day. I tried to smooth out my frown, but honestly, the mocking tone in his voice made me want to kick him in the shins. Actually, I might be able to get away with that while I was pregnant...
Before I could act on the impulse, however, he shoved a bag of coin in my hand, as if I were a common prostitute. Not that I wasn't going to keep the money. I stuffed it into my pocket at the same time as I acted on my earlier impulse and kicked him squarely in the shin. Of course, since I was wearing thing silk shoes, this had the effect of hurting my toes, and I decided to punch him on the arm for good measure.
"Honestly, Kendrick, you are so ... so..." I couldn't think of a word, as I hopped about, trying to rub my toes without falling over.
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Jan 12, 2011 21:59:12 GMT -5
She kicked me!
So quickly she snatched the purse out of my hand and stuffed it in her pocket that my hand still hung in the air when suddenly her foot connected with my shin. Surprise more than pain made me bellow, and I bent to grab my leg when she followed up the kick with a rather hard punch to my arm. "Eluas balls Naia!" I hollered as I straightened, staring at her like she was a raving lunatic. "Remind me to toss you a bag of horse dung next time, maybe you'd actually kiss me then.." Almost abruptly my voice trailed off, but I kept muttering as I limped away from her, going 'round the bar to pour myself another glass of brandy and ignoring her hobbling around. It was her own damn fault if she hurt her toes on my leg, though I suspected had she not caught me straight on the clean shinbone, it wouldn't have hurt half as much as it did.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jan 16, 2011 13:43:56 GMT -5
I paused, leaning against the side of the couch, and just stared at him for a minute. Kiss him? It hadn't occurred to me, in all honesty. "I doubt a bag of horse dung would net you a kiss," I said, crossing my arms. Why did I always seem to be in this position around him. "But if it's kisses you were aiming for, all you had to do was ask. Nicely." I was Shahrizai, after all, and the image of him begging for my affection was rather arousing. "Hmm," I walked around the couch until I stood next to him, and this time I was smiling, rather like a cat. "Perhaps it's my turn to tie you to the bed."
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Jan 24, 2011 18:23:40 GMT -5
Ask?
Nicely?
It was all I could do not to laugh in her face when she strode up to me; I swear I could see a tail flickering behind her as she walked, and whiskers sprouting out from either side of her nose.
I couldn't help the smile that smirked its way across my mouth when she mentioned tying me to the bed; I could still hear her, screeching away up in my bedroom, tied to my bed, as I sat in my kitchen, eating a meal and flipping through the morning paper. "Thanks for stopping by, Naia," I said, turning and leaving her standing. "I trust you know your way out.. Unless you'd like to revisit my bed, that is," I added, turning midstride to give her a lewd once-over that I knew she wouldn't appreciate. "I've learned a new technique at tying knots that I think might come in useful... including a gag for that venomous mouth."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jan 24, 2011 21:37:57 GMT -5
I'd had just about enough of him for now, all I could stomach at this rate. I rolled my eyes and made sure the purse of coin he'd given me before.
"No thanks, I got what I came for." And if I wanted any more than that ... well, there were plenty of men out there that didn't mind bedding a pregnant woman and I was sure if I looked hard enough I could find one. Besides, I might as well have as much sex as I could while I didn't have to worry about getting pregnant.
Turning on my heel and I walked out, heading toward my carriage, deciding at the last minute to do a little extra shopping with my newfound coin. It was true, after all, that babies needed a lot of things, from clothes to diapers to furniture. Come to think of it, there were some things I wanted to. Humming to myself, I ordered the carriage driver to take me to the Artisan's District. Kendrick might think he had gotten the better of me, but I was determined not to let his sour disposition ruin my happiness.
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