Lucien de Clairmont
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Siovale; Baron de Clairmont
Son of Charles and Rosetta de Clairmont
Posts: 1,079
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Post by Lucien de Clairmont on Jun 27, 2011 23:16:27 GMT -5
"Thank you both, and no, no broken limbs required. Though I only escaped a broken head because Mother was back in Camlach," I jested with a wide grin.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Jun 28, 2011 0:15:08 GMT -5
"Thank you Landis," I said with a grateful smile for his calmness. My fingers stopped shaking when they had a glass to clutch. I took a sip of the brandy, trying to let the warmth soothe me. "That sounds like a good plan. What would I do without you?"
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Jun 28, 2011 8:41:48 GMT -5
"You can do anything you put your mind to, with or without me," I told her honestly, giving her another smile and picking up a glass for myself, then taking a long drink of it. As far as I could see that was completely true as well. Mercy was beautiful, intelligent, well-mannered and kind, and if she let herself live those things would take her far.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Jun 28, 2011 12:55:24 GMT -5
So glad to hear that Ghislain felt comfortable enough with this... girl to tell her things about the family when he hadn't even bothered to mention her to me. Though she must have been the redhead the staff had mentioned my brother brought home while I was at the market. Being faced with a woman I knew my brother had slept with was not a comfortable thing, especially not when her gown was slit almost up to her nether lips...
"I'm glad my brother was kind enough to say good things about us," I said with another polite smile. "Usually he's such a private person." I shot a look at Ghislain. Why hadn't he warned me he was bringing a date tonight?
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jun 28, 2011 13:14:11 GMT -5
Her reply made me smile. "You're a brave woman, Marie Legard," I told her.
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 28, 2011 17:55:02 GMT -5
Ghislain's date seemed nice, and I had to admire her curves underneath the red dress she wore. I could only wish I would look half so good in that dress.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Henrietta," I said, impulsively reaching over to give her a little hug and a kiss of greeting on the cheek. I wanted her to feel comfortable with us, because my brother seemed to really like her. Like Hal, whom I had invited along, I wanted them both to feel welcomed.
"Have you two known each other long?" I asked her, casting a smile in my brother's direction and inviting him to answer the question as well, if he so desired.
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Post by Henrietta Langois on Jun 28, 2011 18:46:10 GMT -5
Testy testy. It was impossible not to notice the distaste roiling in Ghislains sister, but I couldn't help but wonder why? She'd noticed my dress, though I didn't think that was it, not with the cleavage she was bearing, all her upper chest and bare shoulders. I'd been nothing but polite though, so her demeanor was baffling to me. Ah, well. Maybe she was simply a habitual curmudgeon by nature.
I dismissed her from my thoughts as Amelie welcomed me, stepping up to give me a small hug and the kiss of greeting, both of which I returned with a warm smile. "A small while only. Your brother saved my life actually, from a runaway horse."
My gaze went to Ghislains again, and my smile grew as I looked at him. He was quite dashing in his attire, and the affections I felt for him weren't faked at all, something that continually surprised me. "Truly, I am a lucky woman to be standing here tonight." I looked back to Amelie again, my gaze never taking Sophie in.
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Post by Ghislain de Trevalion on Jun 28, 2011 21:15:51 GMT -5
I gave Sophie a look of confusion. I had hoped she'd be happy, but what I was seeing certainly didn't bode well.
I smiled though when Amelie went up to give her a hug. I was warmed inside and thankful for my sister's friendliness.
I nodded in agreement with Henrietta's recounting of the events which brought us together. "She likes to paint me a hero. But I truly am grateful, not for the near accident but for her. I don't think I would have found someone as beautiful or caring on my own." It was clear and out in the open that she was more than a plus one to me. I truly cared for her, and I showed it with a kiss on her cheek, right by the corner of her mouth.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jun 28, 2011 22:12:22 GMT -5
Not brave… just in love
“Thank you,” I said, then leaned in and kissed his cheek softly. “I would hate to embarrass you.”
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Post by Princess Phreya de la Courcel on Jun 28, 2011 22:16:16 GMT -5
“Besides, I had to make sure he was whole for the party,” I said, chuckling. I looked at Joie.
“Someday soon we must go have lunch while these two wrestle around and reminisce about being young,” I said, smiling.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Jun 29, 2011 13:17:22 GMT -5
Anything? I wasn't so sure of that. But it did give me an opportunity to be a little impish and radically change the course of our conversation. Gods knew I needed to stop moping and freezing up whenever something or someone reminded me of Sergei. "Does that mean I should start introducing you to women? Turn into a little matchmaker?" I teased.
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Lucien de Clairmont
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Siovale; Baron de Clairmont
Son of Charles and Rosetta de Clairmont
Posts: 1,079
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Post by Lucien de Clairmont on Jun 29, 2011 14:32:15 GMT -5
"Who says we're not still young?" I protested, then grinned and kissed her cheek. "But yes, we must get you two over sometime when all this isn't going on." I waved at the party around us.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Jun 29, 2011 15:39:39 GMT -5
I took a sip of my wine so that I didn't say anything. My brother, the savior? I looked down as he fawned over Henrietta, knowing I wasn't doing a very good job hiding what I was thinking. But then, I didn't often want to push another woman into a fountain. It was a good thing one wasn't handy. Why in heaven's name do I dislike this hussy so much?
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Post by Henrietta Langois on Jun 29, 2011 16:36:31 GMT -5
My smile grew more proud as I looked back to Ghislain again, and I was proud - proud of who he was, proud of how handsome he was, proud of his modesty and proud of his selflessness and honor. The kiss was sweet, an open declaration that supported his words, and had I been one prone to blushing at public displays, I would have then. As it was I glanced down and back up to him again, adoration obvious in my gaze and on my lips.
"I'm thankful the fates were watching out for me that day," I said, meaning it in more ways than just one. I didn't want to press too much public affection though, and instead my hand took his arm again, holding it gently, but making it obvious that I was very happy with him, and from my expression, very proud too as I looked not only to the sisters, but to the red haired man, and Emeric as well.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jun 29, 2011 18:02:17 GMT -5
Her kiss made me fair beam. "Oh, not to worry about that, I'm more than capable of embarrassing myself," I quipped. My uisiage soon disappeared, though I didn't try to hurry her.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jun 29, 2011 19:19:00 GMT -5
I didn’t manage it quite as quickly as he, but it wasn’t long before my glass was empty. I set it aside and then turned to him with a grin.
“I would really love a dance, could we now?” I asked, my entire body was tingling with warmth from the drink.
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 30, 2011 20:36:21 GMT -5
I was uncomfortably aware of a tension in the group, though I wasn't sure what exactly it was about, and it made me feel a little bit awkward. I tried to ignore it and focus on Henrietta's story, which made me smile widely.
"I can imagine my brother was quite the hero," I said warmly, and it was obvious that Ghislain was very interested in this woman. I decided that the best thing to do would be to befriend her, and make sure that she was truly interested in him, and not just his name. I hoped she wasn't, but I had seen it enough in Azzalle. Although, as a Prince, my brother might or might not get to choose his bride, and for his sake, I hoped that he would.
"Perhaps we can go to lunch one day, and you can tell me all about it," I said to her, hoping she would take me up on it and we could have a nice lunch and perhaps do some shopping.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 30, 2011 20:38:28 GMT -5
I stood there awkwardly, completely in a state of unease and tension. I stayed close to Amie.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jun 30, 2011 23:33:27 GMT -5
"Of course angel," I told her, offering her my arms after we had rid ourself of our glasses, and leading her to the dance floor. Thankfully the music set out a dance I was familiar with, and we were soon moving in time.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 1, 2011 15:35:13 GMT -5
A small laugh of pleasure escaped me as we danced; I was smiling so wide that I was sure my cheeks would ache later.
“You’ll have to teach me Alban dances so we can dance there as well,” I told him.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Jul 1, 2011 22:58:20 GMT -5
"Is that really what you want to do?" I asked with a quieter tone and a wink before I took a sip of my own brandy, letting the burning liquor run down my throat to leave a comfortable feeling in my stomach. I'd probably need a wife eventually, I had to carry on my family name, but I still carried the vague hope that I'd love my wife, or at least care about her. Every day though I felt the absence more acutely, especially when Mercy was near and those memories loomed so close I was inclined to wonder if that could ever be again. "How will you find just the right person for me, I wonder?"
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Jul 4, 2011 22:07:32 GMT -5
"Well, I do happen to know you rather well," I pointed out with a smile before taking another sip of my brandy.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Jul 4, 2011 22:39:29 GMT -5
My jaw clenched and I took another large sip of my drink so that I didn't say anything. Amelie was just so damn trusting, friendly. Or maybe she was just better at pretending than me, that was also a possibility. I wanted to leave this little family gathering, but I couldn't quite yet, not without offending Henrietta, my brother, or both. I shot a look at Emeric, and frowned. The bastard was watching this like a tennis match.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 5, 2011 0:47:51 GMT -5
"I can't say that I'm much better at Alban dances, but I'll do my best," I promised, in between managing to not trip over my feet. Or hers for that matter. "Maybe I could invite Ingrid to teach us. It would please her, to see me do more dancing than my mother insisted upon. And you move like a dream, so she would like you."
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Post by Henrietta Langois on Jul 5, 2011 11:33:38 GMT -5
There, the invitation I hoped for came up, and my smile grew more, widening and warming towards Amelie. "I would be honored and grateful both, your Highness," I said, my voice pleasant though not chipper, but it held the distinct ring of friendliness to it. The cards were in my hand now, and I turned, taking Sophie in with the same warmness to my mouth, to extend the offer as well.
"Perhaps one day you and I could go out as well, Princess Sophie, or you could come to my home for tea. I would be equally honored, and in your debt."
There. Neatly done, a trip scheduled with the friendly younger sister, and I offered before Ghislain and the rest the hand of friendship, or at least the willingness to try with his cold, bitter shrewd of a sister. It never touched my smile though, and I clasped my hands before me demurely, aware of Ghislains presence beside me, and Sophines before me.
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Post by Ghislain de Trevalion on Jul 5, 2011 14:04:51 GMT -5
Henrietta was making such an effort that I wanted to kiss her again. I didn't though, and for some reason I said that it was for Sophie's sake. I waited to see what mt sister would answer and I hoped, desperately hoped she would accept. I then glanced at Amelie and offered her a smile, ever the exuberant peacemaker that she was. In my mind I decided that perhaps the best course of action would be to simply break off and dance. And of course I would make certain that I did so with my sisters as well, should they have anything they wanted to say. I just wanted to protect Henrietta. I let out the faintest sigh, thinking of how hard I had fallen for her.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Jul 5, 2011 22:54:11 GMT -5
Father would have been proud: I didn't choke on my wine. Though it came close again when a happy sigh escaped my fool of a brother. "In my debt?" I inquired. My mind was rapidly trying to figure out what this woman's angle was. And she had to have an angle, she was after my brother after all. "An interesting way to put it. Perhaps we might go for a ride in the countryside sometime when the weather is nice. Then the only runaway horse you have to worry about is your own." I smiled with the jest.
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Post by Henrietta Langois on Jul 5, 2011 23:17:41 GMT -5
Ouch; the jab she dealt was sharp, and heat rose in my cheeks as the casual reference she made to my runaway horse brought memories I just as soon would have forgotten. I felt mocked, as surely I was, and I merely bowed my head and turned a little towards Ghislain, no longer looking at Sophie. My hand of friendship was slapped, and the barbs clung in my skin.
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Post by Emeric Deveroix on Jul 5, 2011 23:41:57 GMT -5
This was getting far more sharp and catty than I would have expected and as much as I knew which side my bread was buttered on I knew Henrietta as well. She may not have been a sugar-plum sweetie or a prim princess but she wasn't really bad, much like me. I still wasn't about to step in though, not unless I knew it was going to cause more interest in the direction I wanted. After all the only one in the group who had any problem with me was the elder brother who kept giving me a glare. What kind of problem did he have with me anyway?
Giving Sophie a smile I picked up another glass and offered it to her with a crooked smile before I stepped back into my place, glanced over at Henrietta and then Amelie. "Well, now that the tongues have gotten their workout, how about a dance with one of the lovely ladies?" I offered. No, I wasn't very good at putting out fires but maybe this would help some anyway. If not, well, I'd have learned something new about how bitchy this could get.
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Post by Ghislain de Trevalion on Jul 6, 2011 0:55:09 GMT -5
I felt things begin to escalate and I wanted to withdraw. But ah, at last, the boy had actually made a good suggestion and I would think just a little better of him for that, though the way she smiled at Sophie but things back in question already. It also may have partially motivated my next decision. "An excellent idea, sir." I then leaned in and whispered to Henrietta. "I'll speak with my sister and then the night shall belong to you and I alone." I smiled and then looked up to Sophie. "Sister, may I have the pleasure of the first dance?"
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