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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Jan 3, 2011 15:33:42 GMT -5
Mayhap I was a fool, but then again, I had been one in more ways than I could count over the course of my life. When Leynas letter came though, asking to see me, I'd sat on it - figuratively speaking of course - for two days before I penned back a reply, short, but not unkind. Mayhap too I should have picked to meet her at Jasmine, though I wasn't sure how this meeting between us would go, and with certain events upon the brink of the horizon, I wasn't sure I wanted to risk anything should emotions run high like they had the last time.
So, here I was, leaning against a tree in a park of the Artisans district, looking out towards one of the streets that ran by. My hands were stuffed in the pockets of my cream colored breeches, my ebony shirt likely getting dirt on it from the tree, but I didn't care. Right now my mind was focused, and I waited.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jan 3, 2011 20:25:33 GMT -5
I’d left Maurice at the house; this was something I had to do alone. It had taken me forever to find the courage to write to Troy, and then it had been agony waiting for a reply. His reply… it had cut, not for what it said but for all that it didn’t.
I’d dressed in a gown of dusky rose, put my hair up, and made my way to the park, out alone for the first time in too long to remember.
There were many who would say even asking to see him was cruel, and it could be that it was, but the way things had been left between us was a wound that had never begun to heal. I loved Troy, just as I had before, to think that he might still love me was foolish, but I needed to see him to at least apologize for what still feel felt like a betrayal. I’d been in love with two men in my life, so very different from each other, and I had driven one away then the other had been taken from me. I was learning to find peace after Nic’s death, now I needed to at least try and make peace with Troy.
Entering the park, my eyes were drawn to him unerringly; the casual grace that filled every line of him could belong to no one else. I fought down the flood of memories and approached him.
“Thank you for meeting me,” I said softly.
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Jan 3, 2011 23:14:49 GMT -5
I heard the touch of feet upon the path just before I heard her voice, and I turned immediately to take her in. She was beautiful, sun-kissed hair and graceful, with a stately carriage that held even when she was standing still. Hurriedly I pulled my hands out of my pockets, looking like a slouch. "I thought you were going to be coming from the other way," I admitted with a sudden, slightly lopsided grin.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jan 5, 2011 0:11:15 GMT -5
I felt my lips move to echo his grin. “I can approach again if you’d like,” I said.
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Jan 9, 2011 23:19:41 GMT -5
"No, no," I said before I realized she was jesting, and with a slight laugh I shifted my shoulders. "It's alright. You look good," I added, suddenly feeling awkward and loathing it.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jan 10, 2011 18:36:13 GMT -5
His compliment made me feel self conscious, for I knew I still didn’t look like I had. My clothes were still loose on me and my skin was paler than normal, all marks of my time spent mourning Nic. One hand went to my hair, and the other to my skirt, nervously smoothing both.
“Thank you,” I said, blushing a little before looking at him again. “You look good too.”
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Jan 11, 2011 17:21:55 GMT -5
She looked down at herself, and I had to wonder if she was doubting what I said, self conscious as though she looked. When she complimented me in turn, I gave her a winning smile, too wide to be anything but a jest. "I combed my hair this morning."
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jan 11, 2011 22:39:19 GMT -5
I tilted my head and looked at him dubiously. “You did?” I asked, the corners of my lips twitching in a grin.
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Jan 24, 2011 17:42:14 GMT -5
"I.. uh." A look of confusion crossed my face, and I touched my hair hesitantly. "I think I did, anyway."
The facade fell away, and I gave her a teasing smile before I tucked my hands behind my back. Serious, but not overly; a gentle smile and easy going manner still hung about me. "You wished to see me, Princess? I can keep talking about my hair if you'd like, but I think I might even bore you."
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jan 25, 2011 16:43:10 GMT -5
More than his words, his use of my title made the smile fade from my lips and I looked down, remembering why in fact I had asked him to meet me.
“I wanted to apologize…for the way things were left between us,” I said softly.
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Jan 25, 2011 22:28:46 GMT -5
The smile disappeared immediately, and I felt mine go as well as I watched her, not sure what she was about to say. When she did speak though, I smiled again to her, waving my hand nonchalantly through the air. "Think nothing of it.. the past is the past, right?"
It had hurt, stung for a long time... and truth be it still did, but I didn't let it show. If I'd learned nothing else, dwelling on the past helped no one, and she had enough grief without me adding to it.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jan 26, 2011 0:42:43 GMT -5
“Don’t, please,” I said, looking up at him. “I do think of it and I hate so much that I hurt you. I am so sorry Troy.”
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Jan 27, 2011 15:34:25 GMT -5
My smile faded again; she was serious about this, and I had to be as well for her sake if nothing else. "I know, Leyna.. I knew you were sorry the moment it happened, but you did what was best for you and I respect that. I should have respected you more than I did; if anyone should be apologizing it should be me. Forgive me?" I asked, hoping to soothe her, but honestly meaning what I'd said.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jan 27, 2011 20:24:19 GMT -5
“Of course I forgive you, Troy,” I said. I wanted badly to reach out and lay my hand on his arm, in fact my hand came up a little, but I caught myself and let it fall back by my side.
“I’m not sure I really was doing what was best for me, I did what was easy, what was safe,” I said, looking down again and then u at him once more. “I am sorry I didn’t have the courage to be strong.”
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Feb 6, 2011 23:54:24 GMT -5
"Water under the bridge, Leyna," I smiled softly. She was.. hurt, that was obvious, but something more. Broken, mayhap? I didn't know what to do to alleviate it, but I scrambled, trying to figure something out.
"Walk with me?" I asked as I offered her my arm, smiling crookedly.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Feb 7, 2011 1:17:32 GMT -5
His offer surprised me, but I accepted with a soft smile. “Of course,” I said, taking his arm, though not standing as close to him as I once might have. I had no right to, nor did I expect anything of him. I really had just wanted him to know that I understood how much of a coward I had been, how much I had given up by being so cowardly, and that I was truly sorry.
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Feb 9, 2011 21:56:51 GMT -5
Her arm in mine, I began leading us down the path that curved through the park, set to show pleasing sights on both sides; truly, our country was beyond comparison. For a few moments we walked in silence; the bird twittered around us, the sun made dappled patters between the newly blossoming leaves.
"I've made Second of Jasmine," I said of a sudden, glancing at her with a little grin before looking forward again. "Satori was called away by his lost family in Ch'n, and apparently he recommended me before he left. The Dowayne agreed," I finished; I was happy with my position in life.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Feb 9, 2011 22:29:02 GMT -5
I smiled wide at his words. “Oh Troy, congratulations!” I said. Once again I had to fight my urge, which was to kiss his cheek. “I am so proud of you. I know you will do very well.”
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Feb 16, 2011 17:53:34 GMT -5
I didn't doubt the sincerity of her words, and I grinned, shrugging my shoulders as if it were nothing, though we both knew to me it meant everything. My place in the world was solid now; I knew exactly who I was, and where my life would lead.
"What have you been up to lately?" I asked as we walked, moving between dappled shadows and full sunlight.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Feb 17, 2011 0:37:47 GMT -5
My smile faded for the most part, though I tried not to become too somber.
“Nothing really,” I said, turning my gaze to look at some flowers we were passing. I forced down the grief that still fought to rise whenever I thought about Nic dying.
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Feb 20, 2011 22:46:28 GMT -5
Her smile faded, and I realized what a cad I'd been for asking; I hadn't meant anything by it, but in the end my intentions didn't matter, only the outcome. I patted her hand where it lay on my arm, glancing at her as we walked; moving, I hoped, would give her something else to focus on, and hopefully help pull her from her grief.
"There's a new play showing at a theatre in Mont Nuit," I said as if nothing out of the ordinary happened, hoping to help soothe her in that way. "It's supposed to be fairly funny, but I've not had a chance to see it. A couple of acquaintances from Eglantine are performing there, though. Do you watch plays downtown much?"
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Feb 21, 2011 0:24:34 GMT -5
I was grateful when he moved to another subject. Him comforting me in my grief over Nic would have been too much, too weird.
“No, I’ve never actually been,” I answered. “I’ve heard the performances are wonderful though. Do you go?”
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Mar 6, 2011 0:50:59 GMT -5
"Every now and then," I said, smiling easily as we walked along. "I have a friend who performs there now and then.. I couldn't imagine going up on stage in front of so many to act," I added. I'd participated in a showing before, and that had been nerve wracking enough; I couldn't imagine playacting constantly, even if it was different than showings.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 6, 2011 18:11:23 GMT -5
“Me either,” I said, shaking my head a little. “I have always been impressed with those who are so comfortable in front of large crowds.”
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Mar 8, 2011 22:02:56 GMT -5
My brows rose a little at that, and I grinned down at her, trying to keep things light and playful as much as I could. "You? Princess Leyna de Somerville, future Comtesse de Somerville? Afraid of large crowds? I simply don't believe it." My grin grew more, and I winked at her teasingly.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 8, 2011 23:00:09 GMT -5
I blushed softly even as I chuckled. “Unfortunately, the title doesn’t come with an innate ability to handle large groups of people,” I said, smiling. “I am much more comfortable with smaller groups.”
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Mar 22, 2011 7:14:23 GMT -5
I smiled, a little lopsided, but not mockingly. "I think many of us are, in truth," I responded quietly. "I myself prefer smaller groups to larger as well. As well as I'm not the Second to Cereus, with the fetes thrown there." My smile edged towards a grin; they'd never accept me at Cereus, my hair, skin, eyes all too dark for their standards.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 23, 2011 0:01:12 GMT -5
“I have faith you would be able to handle it if you had to,” I said, smiling. “You seem capable of anything.”
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Post by Troy nó Jasmine on Apr 21, 2011 17:17:32 GMT -5
"I don't know about that," I said, giving her a lightly teasing look. I couldn't handle you. "After all, I'm fairly certain a few walls crumbled after I leaned against them too long, holding them up for a certain princess." My smile grew to a grin as I led her, the spring air swirling gently around us.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Apr 22, 2011 17:56:10 GMT -5
I blushed at the memory, smiling and ducking my head, my hair falling softly around my face.
“And here I thought you were just holding to keep them from crumbling on me, not causing the crumbling,” I replied, glancing at him from the corner of my eye.
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