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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Feb 2, 2011 23:06:48 GMT -5
I blushed slightly, though I was becoming more accustomed to people wanting to touch my belly. Alex loved to, and I couldn't deny her anything. I smiled shyly and handed the chocolates over, then nodded to Sarielle.
"Of course," I said, putting my hands behind my back and out of the way. "But be careful, he kicks," I added, making a face. "Hard."
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Post by Sarielle Shahrizai on Feb 3, 2011 11:44:14 GMT -5
I watched her give the chocolates aside, and I smiled with joy as I moved closer to her, letting my palm lay flat against her stomach. I did not feel any movement, not yet anyways, and I did not want to keep her standing in the drafty doorway, regardless. I smiled. "Perhaps he likes me," I mused. I was tempted to make a quip about the possibility of it having been Gadleon's, but I decided against it. It would be a good card to have if the evening went awry at her's or Kendrick's hands.
"Come, the men must be wanting to kill each other. I've left them alone for a few minutes, but tha tis probably a few minutes too long," I said with a smile.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Feb 3, 2011 12:58:22 GMT -5
"Man after my own heart" I answered as I got him a brandy. After I handed it off I observed " I know love as thou wilt and all that tripe, but with what some of the fellows around here drink I am concerned about their manhood." When he tossed the flower and quipped I raised a brow. "I suppose I spoke too soon" I smirked at him "I never picked you out as one of those guys Kendrick."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Feb 6, 2011 11:12:23 GMT -5
"I'm sure he does," I said, knowing that Sarielle would be a wonderful person to have in the baby's life. When we were children, she had always been so kind and she had given me all of the love I'd never felt from our father. I had to quickly focus on the present, as the past threatened once more to overwhelm me.
"Ah yes, I don't think either Kendrick nor Gadleon know the meaning of the words 'play nice,' " I said, shaking my head. I was praying that Kendrick would behave himself tonight, but I was afraid to let him know how important it was to me.
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Feb 7, 2011 11:25:45 GMT -5
"You never know," I smirked as I took the brandy, raising it to my mouth. I'd chop various parts of my body off before ever touching another male, but I didn't think Gadleon was dumb enough to actually believe I would partake in .. a mans.. pleasure.
Shuddering violently, I turned away as I heard the women's voices come closer, and I watched the door passively, already ticking off the time til I could go home.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Feb 7, 2011 13:22:16 GMT -5
I did not bother to respond to that but instead when he turned and looked at the door I did as well. This little gathering should be right up there with having a tooth pulled. All the same I liked to think I was not quite as surely as Kendrick at least on the outside.
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Post by Sarielle Shahrizai on Feb 7, 2011 17:04:47 GMT -5
I walked first leading us to the room where the men waited, a smile on my lips as I entered. My eyes went to Gadleon first, and then to the man who stood beside him. Taller, and with a glass of brandy in his hand. Neither of them looked terribly amused, and I raised a brow before I let it fall back into place and walked up to the newcomer.
"You must be Kendrick," I offered with a smile, though I was well and truly on my guard. I dipped into a fluid curtsey, holding it a moment before raising again. "Welcome." I'd have given him the kiss of greeting but I was certain that would not have made matters progress any more smoothly.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Feb 8, 2011 3:05:06 GMT -5
I trailed after Sarielle nervously, both dreading and desiring the moment I would see Kendrick. He made me feel like a ball of nerves, but at the same time, I saw him as my ally in this mess - we both wanted the best for our child. What that meant, exactly, was anyone's guess.
On the heels of Sarielle's greeting, I made a little introduction, though it was entirely unnecessary. Still I felt I should say something.
"Kendrick, this is my sister, Sarielle, and you know Gadleon already, of course." I was still standing near the door, wanting on one hand to go stand next to Kendrick, and on the other to be as far across the room from his as possible. The result was, of course, that I did not move at all, and the whole thing was so awkward that for a brief moment I wished I could duck out and drink a bottle of wine before trying again.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Feb 8, 2011 10:24:52 GMT -5
I watched in silence as the ladies did the meet and greet with Kendrick. Though a rather amused smile creased my features as it occurred to me I was one of the few if not the only person I had ever seen who treated him like he was anything but a rabid animal. Of course that was not an altogether bad description of the fellow. I just had an advantage in that I had yet to meet a person who truly worried me. Bad knee and all I was still supremely confident in my own abilities. I let my gaze shift toward Naia and I could not help but wonder what she had been thinking now that Sarielle and I had pieced things together.
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Feb 15, 2011 14:24:20 GMT -5
The women entered, and my eyes went immediately to Naia, looking.. apprehensive? My brow rose slightly, but before I could even take in the state of her clothes her apparent sister approached me.
All calm and confident, self-assuredness rolled out of her in waves, and even through a smile that graced her mouth, I knew she was appraising me. I was fine with it, so long as she didn't dig too far into me or inquire too closely into my past. And again, before I could say or do anything in turn to her, Naia spoke up, giving a rather unneeded introduction. I had to force a bland look off my face to her, instead focusing on Sarielle, giving her a bow properly low enough; I was a Comte and above her in rank, but this was her house after all.
"A pleasure to meet you," I toned politely as I rose, the glass of brandy that had been in my hand now on the table near me. "Naia's admittedly rather closed-lipped when it comes to her family, but the things she has said were good." I think. Half the time I toned her out when she rattled on, but I was pretty sure she must have said something good.. at some point. "You've a lovely home.. Or at least a lovely reception room," I added, quirking a half smile at her before proffering the wine towards her. "I brought this for you." I waited til she'd taken it before turning and picking up the flowers, striding a few paces to Naia. Granted, I'd brought them originally for Sarielle as well, but it didn't seem right to give her sister everything and have nothing for her, even if I felt a right fool at the gesture. "And for you, Naia. You're looking.. remarkably well dressed tonight." My brow lifted, and I had to fight the sudden urge to smile; the little deviant went shopping with the coin I gave her! The dress fit too well around her waist for it to be anything but new-bought and new-fitted.
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Post by Sarielle Shahrizai on Feb 16, 2011 20:38:37 GMT -5
I watched him move, watched his expressions as Naia spoke, and saw the restraint there. Very well, he would be putting on his court face tonight, it seemed, or at least he would be determined to. I could appreciate the desire to at least appear friendly, even from what I had heard. He bowed, lower than was necessary, and I returned it with a curtsy, even though I could have just nodded. I was being cordial aferall.
I was about to say that the pleasure was mine when he continued to speak, and I fought back the urge to laugh outright. He handed me a bottle of wine, and Naia a bouquet of flowers.
"Thank you for the wine, and your kind words, though if she has spoken to you about me at all prior to this very evening," I mused, looking over at Naia, playfulness flashing in my eyes, "you would not have been hearing kind words, I'd wager. But thank you for the sentiment, regardless." It was one thing to pretend to be something you were not, but his words were obviously not true. I knew how Naia had felt about me, regardless of how much she had seen the light in Azriel's home. She had no need to speak niceties when to her there were none to be said when it came to the topic of family, and especially me. Well, this night was starting out on an interesting foot.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Feb 17, 2011 21:27:59 GMT -5
I decided that at this point discretion was the better part of valor and so I kept my mouth shut. I figured I would dive in if the sitting room was about to be damaged for the second time today. Though the second would surely be less pleasant than the first. That little thought put a small grin on my face but I kept my thoughts to myself.*
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Feb 17, 2011 23:51:20 GMT -5
I could already sense that things were starting to go downhill, because Kendrick did not take particularly well to a tone like my sister was using now, and I personally colored at her words, knowing that I would not be so soon forgiven, but wanting it nonetheless. Well, at least Kendrick was trying, I would be forever grateful for that. I accepted the flowers with a smile, surprised that he had thought of me.
"Thank you, Kendrick," I said, hoping that he would see that I meant for more than the flowers. I decided not to address Sarielle's point, because it seemed like there was no good way to respond, either I admitted that I had not spoken of her, or I lied, and neither seemed best. Instead I cleared my throat and tried to change the subject.
"So, I hear that you and Gadleon know each other," I said, smiling at Gadleon and trying my hardest to be friendly. I realized with a bit of surprise that I had lost any desire I had to have Gadleon for myself, and it was quite a relief not to have that hanging over my head during the entire dinner. Especially since he was marrying my sister. "How so?" I asked, hoping there would be an interesting tale there to change the topic.
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Feb 20, 2011 17:14:16 GMT -5
Naia's sister smiled sweetly, but only a dolt would take it for its surface value; there were daggers in her eyes, augers boring into me and trying to scoop out, what? Information? If she thought there was more information in me that she couldn't get just by doing some research, she was a fool.
Just like that, though, I was branded a liar and an idiot in one fell swoop of her mouth, and any smile I had on my face was instantly gone. An incredibly wonderful way to make someone feel welcome in your house, after all; make them wait to the point of rudeness, then slap them in their face with masked words and smiles like it was supposed to make everything better. She wanted truth, and yet she played games; it was a sort of hypocrisy that made her look a flat fool, and I didn't think she even had the intelligence to realize it.
I stood and looked at her, my eyes narrowed slightly as I took her in, discerning her as she sought to discern me. This night wasn't going to end well, I knew it like an itch between my shoulders, but Naia spoke again and I shifted my attention back to her; the sisters looked uncannily alike, and it was enough on it's own to unsettle a man.
"Gadleon? Aye, we know each other," I said, my eyes flickering to the man. I gauged him as well; I hadn't figured him a fool before, but mayhap I had that one wrong, too. "He was there the night I got this from your little friend," I said, touching my finger to my forehead. Naia had been there too, but I didn't bother saying that out loud; for some reason, I had no interest in embarrassing her. "Before that, though, he and my sister were a couple. Quite the fiery little pair, too," I added, my eyes remaining on Naia's.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Feb 21, 2011 9:37:05 GMT -5
Well this was going nicely. Sarielle had certainly not gone at Kendrick the right way but I was not so sure she really cared after what we had figured out earlier concerning Naia's schemes. Then there were Naia's words to Kendrick and that was another bad direction. Though I will give the man his due he handled it with more tact than I had expected. I took a gulp of my drink hell, killed the rest of it and poured myself another. I had no intention of opening my mouth at this point. So many had no clue when to shut up but I liked to think I was not one of that lot.
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Post by Sarielle Shahrizai on Feb 22, 2011 10:12:13 GMT -5
I smiled as he turned from me to answer Naia's question, almost laughing. Well, it was good to know the man had some balls, instead of cowering and seeking an apology, or flushing at his misstep. Which meant he could handle my sister, though it was hard to tell this early if he would treat her well. I listened to the answer he gave, cocking my head slightly to the side.
"What an interesting histoire," I mused, "did you two get along well back then?" I asked, looking to Gadleon. I noticed he was being rather silent.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Feb 22, 2011 11:48:05 GMT -5
I simply cut my gaze toward Sarielle and replied calmly “we got in quite a fight actually. Of course the fight was not quite as bad as it was portrayed in some quarters.” I gave one of my serpentine smiles “I have been known to consider tossing someone over a bar and then using their face to clean said bar as a humorous from of greeting.”
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Mar 5, 2011 23:30:51 GMT -5
Kendrick had a sister? I was surprised, but then again, it wasn't like we sat up at night eating bon bons and telling each other stories about our childhoods - for all I knew, he had twenty sisters. Still, it was jarring to hear him say it so casually. I covered my feelings in the flowers, inhaling the scent before returning to the conversation at hand.
"I do recall that, yes," I said, remembering that night vividly, despite the opium, because it was the night our child had been conceived. "I missed the beginning of that one, but I did get to see the end." I had to laugh at the mental image of me jumping on Kendrick's back and scratching him ... what in Kushiel's name had I been thinking?
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Mar 6, 2011 10:00:23 GMT -5
Gadleon and Sari spoke back and forth, but by and large my eyes remained on Naia, and I watched as she buried her face in the flowers after I spoke. Good; she liked the smell, not that I should care. Of course not.
Her words made me smirk, as cocky an expression as I'd ever had before, and in that one moment all propriety flew out the window for me. "Yes, you did jump in in the ending." My tone was too dry, and I bent to pick up my brandy again, downing the remainder in one fell swoop before glancing back to Gadleon and the viper with him.
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Post by Sarielle Shahrizai on Mar 6, 2011 19:21:50 GMT -5
I had been laughing softly when Kendrick quipped in, and I continued to laugh. "Well, I am glad you're all so very well acquainted, then, and it seems in so many ways," I mused. "Should make this evening a breeze, don't you think?" I asked, rhetorically of course, before I made my way over to the brandy and poured myself a glass. "Dinner ought to be ready soon, we were not expecting you so early," I offered, taking a sip of my glass while my free hand toyed idly with my still damp braid.
"So Kendrick," I said as I smiled, sweetly, though not showing teeth as I moved back to them and sat on the divan, crossing one leg over the other and cocking my head. "You must be thrilled to be the father, correct?" I asked, all too amused with my choice of words, though I did not show it, for all intents and purposes appearing intent and sincere.
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Mar 6, 2011 19:49:49 GMT -5
I had to resist looking outside at the failing light when Sarielle mentioned that she hadn't expected us so early, though the look I gave her was exceedingly patient, someone who was humoring another for the sake of civility.
"That would explain the prolonged absence after my arrival had been announced." My tone was as dry as it was before, though rather than a familiarness attached to it when I'd spoken to Naia, there was only a stark emptiness as I looked at her sister, lounging with a drink when we all remained standing and my own glass emptied. Manners, manners... Another black marked ticked down, and I hadn't had to do anything to earn them.
"I am rather thrilled to be the babes father," I said, my voice flat and level. "Proud to know my family name will carry on, proud that Naia is the mother, and I'll do whatever it takes to ensure the babes safety and well being." Irregardless of Naia and I's future relationship, good or bad, the child would never suffer, not that it was any of this womans concern. My posture was square and erect; it was all I could do to keep myself here, and fight away my anger. I could feel my temper rising further, and some basic level part of me feared it, of what would happen if it snapped.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Mar 7, 2011 7:02:23 GMT -5
Well he did seem to be taking the matter of the child in hand and he honestly did seem to be pleased to be a parent. I observed as I found myself a seat and continued to observe the proceedings. He and Sarielle were not getting on but that was to be expected considering I was not entirely convinced that Kendrick got along with himself. Indeed he probably had deep and long winded arguments with himself inside of his own head. That thought made me smile a bit as I cut my gaze to Naia and decided to dig in a bar "so Naia were you planning on starting a family with Kendrick that particular night we all had a merry brawl at the bar or were you just lucky?"
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Post by Sarielle Shahrizai on Mar 7, 2011 15:55:02 GMT -5
I listened to his answer, not terribly enthusiastic, and it seemed he was a little.. tense. I grinned, more warmly this time, listening to the conversation that had started between Naia and Gadleon.
"Yes," I said, my eyes brightening as I looked at Kendrick, "I mean it must have come as a shock to you, to be told you are to become a father?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Mar 15, 2011 12:25:49 GMT -5
Sarielle and Gadleon seemed intent on making this as uncomfortable as possible and in typical fashion I felt my ire rising. However, if I had learned one thing from Azriel, it was the importance of keeping one's temper. I wasn't going to be provoked, though I could hardly speak for Kendrick, who had surprised me more than once tonight.
"Just lucky," I answered, and even as I said it I realized that I was right. I could have done a lot worse than Kendrick for my child's father, and while he was maddening sometimes, I would have chosen no one better. "It may not be what we had planned, but Kendrick and I are both pragmatic enough to make the best of things, regardless of how it started out." Now that that was out of the way, perhaps we could move on to the usual small talk and actually have a nice evening? It wasn't likely, I supposed, but one could hope.
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Mar 15, 2011 12:50:33 GMT -5
I listened, my ire battling with disgust and distaste at how events were proceeding, at how obviously shallow either of their curiosities and concerns were. What was the point of trying? Truth be told, the longer I was here, the angrier I was getting, for nothing more than the simple fact that they had each other. They had family, sisters and cousins and aunts and uncles, a soon to be nephew, and they treated it as if it were dispensable, unimportant. Family was one of the few things that had mattered to me; I'd put up with Julie and her antics, had put up with Gadleon for her even though I hadn't liked the man even slightly and trusted him less. But did I treat her less when she made mistakes or fool of herself? When she cut her hand? No; I accepted Gadleon then, giving over for her... and yet here these two sat, obviously against Naia and myself. My fingers tightened into fists, but this time I didn't try to control them or the hardness of my eyes; I was getting fed up with this charade.
"No, Sarielle," I snapped, my temper but a fingers breadth from breaking. "I knew as soon as I spent my seed in her that we were magically going to have a child. What kind of question is that? If you have something you want to say, then say it, and quit acting like a pussy cat trying to pretend it's a tiger."
I glared at her, glared at Gadleon, just as disgusted with him as I was her; Naia was his cousin, and soon to be sister in law. Did neither have respect? I waited, shoulders square and unbending, not looking at Naia, only her unnecessarily arrogant sister.
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Post by Sarielle Shahrizai on Mar 15, 2011 16:05:43 GMT -5
He snapped back, anger in his tone and writ in every expression. All i did was smile.
"I was just ponering the intentions, that is all, and whether you questioned them yourself. Naia is my sister, and I love her, but that does not mean i do not worry when she chooses... some man I've nought heard of before as a father to her child. And we all know these things do not happen by chance as they might with other cultures," I eplained, my tone level, no hint of anger. i spread my hands and shrugged. "Forgive me for taking an interest and ensuring that this is something you both wanted, that you wanted to be the father, and she wanted you as the father," I looked then to Naia and pointedly to Gadleon before looking back at her, and then to Kendrick. I was not sure he would see the implicatios I was making, but perhaps my sister would then understand why I was making any sort of fuss over it. "To be honest, I am happy if she is happy, and I know she knows I will help any manner I can, and support her,. We've already discussed that much. She knows my intentions. I just did not know if she knew yours, or you knew hers. Afterall, if something like this is to work, with father and mother separate, do you not believe that all things should be revealed before entering solidly into this and perhaps losing much i nthe outcome?" I asked. I sat back in my seat, looking at Kendrick, my eyes holding little humour, but also holding no anger.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Mar 15, 2011 21:10:50 GMT -5
I felt a sick sensation in my stomach that had nothing to do with the baby when Sarielle looked at me and then at Gadleon ... she couldn't possibly know. It didn't matter if she speculated, I sure as hell wasn't going to confirm it, especially not in front of Kendrick. I didn't know if he'd care, but I'd suffered enough humiliation in my life not to have any desire to add to it, not to mention possibly making things worse for the baby. No, Kendrick was his father and I would go to any lengths to ensure that my son would always have that, if nothing else. I breathed a silent prayer of thanks that my stupid, silly little plan had not come to fruition, because this would be a situation beyond salvaging. Maybe it was now, who knew.
"I'm perfectly happy, and anything else to do with the baby is between Kendrick and I." Hopefully that would end this conversation, because in fact, it was the truth. Sarielle was my sister, but that did not entitle her to overstep herself. What Kendrick and I understood was between us and no one else.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Mar 15, 2011 21:40:22 GMT -5
I simply went back to watching the entire exchange as if it were a sporting match. I understood Kendrick's vexation of course but that was another matter. The simple truth remained that a d'Angeline woman did not get pregnant on accident so Naia had been up to something one way or another and I was more than amused to watch her squirm over it. Indeed I wondered why those questions were not entering Kendrick's brain or maybe they had and it was past them. At any rate I figured the point was moot now. Naia knew that she was not as cunning as she often thought she was "perhaps we should let this rest and grab another drink and dinner" I said at last.
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Post by Sarielle Shahrizai on Mar 16, 2011 19:06:11 GMT -5
I laughed. Plain and simple. I could see the flash of fear in her eyes, and I knew she knew that I knew, and that was all I wanted, truly. Quite frankly with how she was acting, and how her baby's father was acting, and with that little snide comment, I doubted either would want me in the babe's life. So truly, what was the point of continuing this evening. "Yes, maybe cooler heads will prevail after some food and wine... oh sorry, cider and water for you, Naia, of course," I said with a softer smile, though under the surface I would have loved to blow open her cover. Just the face that she had at least attempted earlier to make nice and that she was my sister kept me from breaking the news to Kendrick that he was an undeniable mistake, even if she was happy with it now.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Mar 16, 2011 20:36:13 GMT -5
"Of course," I said, acknowledging that I would not be drinking any wine this evening. "I'm just going to go freshen up before dinner." I laid the flowers gently on a nearby table and stepped out into the hall, taking a deep breath and trying to keep the prickling against my eyelids from becoming tears. I hurried to the bathing room and simply stood there for several moments, leaning against the door and trying to figure out how things had gone so terribly wrong. Maybe I was expecting too much. Azriel had cautioned me against it, had told me that we all had a lot to get past, that I shouldn't expect to be easy. And I hadn't expected that, truly, but then again, I wasn't sure what I had expected. A loving reunion? Everyone to get along famously? I never should have invited Kendrick over, put him through the wringer, and for what? We were not even courting, why should he have to questioned and prodded at? For the first time I really thought about Kendrick and what I had done to him, the position my carelessness had put him in. I closed my eyes and let the tears fall, because I couldn't keep them back.
Just a few, though, and then I wiped them away and composed myself. Fine, so things were not going the way I wanted them to. Crying about it wasn't going to make any difference, and maybe I deserved every painful, uncomfortable moment. I would make the best of it, not sit here and feel sorry for myself; those days were over.
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