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Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 19:58:34 GMT -5
Renard and I had neared the townhouse and began walking up the drive to the door. My nervousness returned; I wasn't eager to face Owen's anger so soon having only recently settled in.
"Thank you for escorting me home," I gave a curtsey and smiled at Renard. "I'd invite you inside but... I'm not sure how Owen is going to react."
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Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 20:04:17 GMT -5
I bowed to her curtsy, taking her hand in mind and laying a light kiss on it, "It was my pleasure, Lady Periguex. Never have I been so pleased as to continue my duty. Feel free to contact me for chess or for any other reason. " I gestured for her to make her way inside. I wasn't sure if someone else would be there or not, but I stood to watch before I would walk away.
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Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 20:08:11 GMT -5
I walked a few steps inside before catching my reflection in the mirror in the hall. I looked worse than I realised; my curls had escaped my coronet and the ashes weren't just on my hemline. I winced, glancing back at Renard who still stood in the doorway. I hope he'd be off before Owen got here.
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Post by Owen du Blaine on Jun 12, 2011 20:23:04 GMT -5
The door opened, and I was but two rooms over, already walking out of it on my way to the kitchens to swipe a midday snack, and seeing no point either in making a maid do it for me. I had no intentions on stopping to greet Eulalie, not wanting her to feel like I was fathering her, so I flashed her a welcoming smile as I walked by, and I made it a full two strides past the hall before everything clicked in, and I turned, slowly walking back.
"Eulalie?" I queried, taking in her dress, and behind her the man at the door.
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Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 20:28:13 GMT -5
It was just my luck that Owen would walk out before I could go upstairs to change. He didn't seem to notice at first, but did a double take and looked at me questioningly.
"Afternoon Owen," I babbled, then turning around desperately I remembered Renard at the door. As much as I didn't want to involve him, I seized on the opportunity anyway. "This is Renard de Valliers."
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Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 20:32:27 GMT -5
I was just about to turn and leave, when I heard someone call Eulalie's name. I turned back around and heard Eulalie introduce me.
I bowed before the gentleman, "Good day to you, sir. I was escorting Lady Periguex home after a incident that occurred at Elua's square." I didn't know if I should say anything more. It seemed that it might be more appropriate for Eulalie to explain further. However, I was still unsure if I should leave.
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Post by Owen du Blaine on Jun 12, 2011 21:03:39 GMT -5
Maybe it was the way he shifted, or how he spoke, or maybe it was just me being suspicious, but after getting a good look at Eulalie and this.. Renard... myself, I wasn't taking any chances.
"Stay," I said curtly to him, and turned to her with a frown.
"What happened? Are you alright?" My gaze took in her dress and hair, and I sighed - her mother and my mother both were going to kill me.
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Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 21:14:10 GMT -5
Sending an apologetic glance Renard's way, I hurried to reassure Owen. "I'm fine. Everything's fine." I hesitated, before going on. It was hard for me to be dishonest and keeping the truth back was a sort of dishonesty. Besides, I was still carrying the books I'd saved so they pretty much gave it away anyway. "There was just a bit of trouble in Elua's Square," I held back from admitting it was a riot, in the hope that it would lessen the impact of the account. "Some madman was trying to burn books."
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Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 21:19:46 GMT -5
My eyebrows raised at the man's command for me to stay. I decided to stay anyway. I listened to her give a recount of what happened. It hadn't escaped my notice that she wasn't being completely honest, but I wasn't about to correct her. My eyes went to Owen's as I wondered if he could tell that it wasn't the whole story.
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Post by Owen du Blaine on Jun 12, 2011 22:45:45 GMT -5
My hand took her chin, gently lifting it, looking at her face, concern washing through my face and emotions more than anything. Seeing she was alright, I cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead, then frowned at her again as I leaned back again.
"So there was a madman burning books, and.. you decided to roll in the ashes?"
My brow lifted dubiously as I looked at her; she hadn't gotten in this state of disarray by walking away. My frown deepened as I look at the young man standing, and I gestured impatiently for him to come in and stop lingering on my doorway like a common beggar. My question was for Eulalie though, and I folded my arms across my chest.
Damnit, she was forcing me to act like a father, and that sparked my ire more than anything else. She was fine, mishaps happened, but she wasn't being forthcoming and forced my hand into father-figure rather than housemate. I had no want to be anyones father, especially a girl who was old enough to spread her legs for me.
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Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 22:53:57 GMT -5
For a moment, an unfamiliar sensation coursed through my body as he touched me, and I suppressed the involuntary shiver of feeling. But when he leaned back again it was quickly replaced by a sense of embarrassment.
"No," I replied shortly, though I knew his question had been slightly sardonic. "I... tried to get out but the crowd kept growing and pushed me forward; and by the time I heard him speaking I couldn't help myself. I argued back and salvaged some of the books before the fighting broke out. Renard made sure I was safe."
I looked down at the floor, not wanting to see the disappointment in his eyes or whatever might be in Renard's gaze.
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Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 22:54:01 GMT -5
I noticed Owen's gesture and I made my way inside of the house. I closed the door quietly and moved to the side. I watched Eulalie, wondering if she would be more forth coming. It looked as if Owen knew that there was far more to this than just a pile of burning books. I only hoped that she would be honest in my role and not make me sound like a jerk. I had never met this man before, but I didn't want to end up in a fight for a misunderstanding.
I listened to Eulalie talk about her experience with the group. It looked like they had a father/daughter relationship, and I wondered if they were related somehow. I quietly wondered how Owen would respond to Eulalie's admission of guilt.
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Post by Owen du Blaine on Jun 13, 2011 11:11:52 GMT -5
Had she simply tried to leave, been pushed forward and was stuck until she found a way out I wouldn't have been vexed. I would have clapped the man on his back and thanked him for returning her home, and saw to it she received a bath, a meal.
But she hadn't. The Siovalese in me agreed with the salvaging of books, but the sensible part disagreed, and I ignored it for the moment in light of another topic. "You argued with a madman! By the seven hells Eulalie, what would make you do such a foolish thing?"
Before she could answer, my gaze cut over to the manchild standing off to the side, almost like he was trying to blend in with the furnishings. "And what were you doing, letting her go forth as such? Does she look like she's old enough to understand such thing?"
I scowled; I didn't know the mans title, and I didn't care. "I hope you have something to add to contradict this and restore your honor," I growled.
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Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 13, 2011 11:58:48 GMT -5
My arms crossed over my chest at his words. I glanced at Eulalie before I spoke up, "It's not my job to dictate to a lady what she should and should not do. I did warn her of the possible outcomes of her decision, but she decided to continue anyway. I stood by her and defended her from the rush of the crowd. I was able to defend her from physical harm."
"Of course, I wonder if things would have turned out better had she been provided with a proper chaperon or guard," I spoke firmly, obviously giving some responsibility to Owen. He should have made certain that she had someone watching her.
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Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 13, 2011 12:21:26 GMT -5
The protest had died on my lips as Owen reprimanded me, then began on Renard. I watched their interchange and felt churning emotions swirl in my stomach. Indignation and guilt among them, but mostly anger that they were treating me like some silly, defenceless child; talking about me as though I were not right there. Of course what I had done probably justified it, but I still stood by what I did.
"If you heard what he was saying, you would have argued back too," I snapped, hurt making me defiant. "He was burning books Owen, sacred texts. I thought you would at least understand that. In any case, the Baron Citrine was already debating with the man before I was drawn into the crowd, so I was not entirely alone in my opinion."
I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down, and inhaled deeply before continuing, but my voice still held a thread of irritation. "I'm sorry. I should have taken Darmus with me but I was only venturing to Elua's Square, which by all accounts seemed peaceful and close enough to home that I didn't think I required one." I didn't think it would have changed anything if Darmus was there; we wouldn't have been able to escape the press of bodies anyway; but I didn't want Renard thinking that Owen had been careless with my safety. "I was not expecting a riot. I am thankful for the fact my lord de Valliers was there."
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Post by Owen du Blaine on Jun 19, 2011 18:30:00 GMT -5
Before I could answer the little cad's smart remark, Eulalie cut in, displaying all the grace of a lady-proper despite the soot in her dress and on her face. I admired her in that moment, in my disapproving way, how she held herself during a moment of strife and conflict.
"When it comes to your safety, Eulalie, I say books be damned. They can be replaced - you cannot. As for you," I added, my gaze cutting to the shite standing not too far away, "It is not your job to dictate where a lady goes, but a girl of sixteen? I thought you a man when you first arrived, but as it is, you're naught but an over-reaching boy. You are dismissed from my house, sir."
I gave him a mock dip of my head and brought my gaze back to Eulalie. "I'll have a bath readied for you," I added, curtly, but I was angry. Angry and frightened, not for the damnable books or that obnoxious twit she brought home like a puppy, but that she might have been seriously hurt, that she might have died. I strode off without another word to find a servant and dispatch my orders, and then to steep myself in a cigar and a tall glass of whiskey.
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Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 19, 2011 21:30:46 GMT -5
My face hardened at the man's reprimand. He didn't know me near enough to make such judgments, and I was angry that he would speak about my honor. I had saved his charge from injury, I could have very well walked away and allowed the crowd to do as they wished. Although Eulalie was only sixteen, that was the age of sexual consent in the Night Court, and it was not unheard of for a sixteen year old to marry and raise a family. Pointing out those things seemed needless. There was apart of me that agreed, that I should have either pressed my point to her, or lifted her up swiftly onto my shoulder and out of the way of safety.
I turned to Eulalie and took her hand, giving it a brief kiss, "Take care of yourself, m'lady." I bowed. I turned to bow to Owen, but he had already left. I headed for the door and walked out of the home.
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Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 19, 2011 21:38:26 GMT -5
"Wait!" I rushed after Renard before he could leave in earnest. "I'm sorry," I apologised with a blush of guilt. I knew Owen would be angry but he could have at least directed it all at me, and not Renard, who fortune granted, was lucky enough to be there. "He's usually quite lovely, worry just made him cruel. He'll come around, sometime. And I'm sorry for dragging you into it at all. I will make it up to you."
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Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 20, 2011 0:14:45 GMT -5
I paused when I heard Eulalie calling me. I turned and smiled at her when she apologize, "You don't need to apologize for his behavior. He's dishonored himself by speaking so disrespectfully to a hero." A gave a teasing smirk.
"That's not necessary, but I would enjoy seeing you again. Perhaps we could do something fun?" I mentioned to her.
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Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 20, 2011 1:48:50 GMT -5
Thankfully, he did not seem too resentful; indeed he did make a jest of it.
"I would love to," I replied. "Only, perhaps in a few days after his rage has blown over."
Then, with a tired smile, I stepped back and curtsied once more. "I suppose you better go, before he catches you lingering. And," I glanced down at my dishevelled appearance, "I better tidy myself up a bit. Again, thank you so much for everything."
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Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 20, 2011 12:19:43 GMT -5
"It was a pleasure... sincerely," I said smiling before I turned and made my way back down the street. It was true, that the entire scene had ended up being a pleasure. Although, I had originally been annoyed at the activists, there was almost nothing I enjoyed better than fighting, and I had gotten the chance to practice my skills more. And meeting Eulalie had been quite rewarding. She was a incredibly attractive woman, with some qualities that reminded me of my sister. The combination made me feel a little uneasy, but I felt comfortable dismissing it and enjoying her company anyway.
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Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 20, 2011 16:16:45 GMT -5
Watching as he walked down the street, I smiled a little to myself. At least there was one good thing that had come out of this, I was looking forward to meeting Renard again under more pleasant circumstances. Shutting the door gently, I turned to go up the stairs to clean myself up. As I passed by Owen's office, I felt the shame overwhelming me again. I was sorry I put him in this position, sorry that he still thought me a child.
And though he probably didn't want to hear from me at that moment, I paused by the door anyway. "I'm sorry for making you worry."
Then, before I could see his reaction, I retired to my bedroom.
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