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Post by Mael Leblanc on Aug 25, 2011 10:22:10 GMT -5
"Adrien dispatched them," I corrected, giving credit where credit was due. The conversation continued, and I inclined my head slightly in response to the welcome, though inwardly I balked at her words. Good fortune indeed... I certainly could have used a bit of that good fortune eight years ago.
"I'm certain the beaches and cliffsides will remain until peacetime." I think I had meant that statement to come out less dryly than it did.
"But I would...like to go to the sea, eventually." I had no idea how long it would take before 'eventually' actually came, and decided to keep such thoughts to myself. I thought I felt Adrien shudder next to me, and I found myself wondering exactly how he had come to haunt Night's Doorstep. I knew he was from Bodhistan, but could he have come to Terre d'Ange by ship at one point, or was there another reason he had shuddered when I mentioned the sea?
I gave his hand a squeeze, meant to be reassuring, and I caught the words whispered under his breath: "Seen one seashore, seen 'em all." Oh, so maybe it wasn't as dire as I'd imagined, I still swatted his shoulder. This was no time to forget where we were or with whom we were having a conversation.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Aug 28, 2011 10:07:56 GMT -5
Something was passing between Mael and Adrien, and it seemed the dark-skinned man had a dark past of his own, or that something at any rate made him uncomfortable. Given the chance, mayhap I'd speak to him of it – ask him if he was alright. For now, though, I opted to take the opportunity that Mael had afforded me, to bring to the fore a deal he and I had cut.
“Aye,” I went on, “I've a mind to visit Lessandrie, when it's all said and done,” I told Mirielle. “It's been too long since I saw Marsilikos.”
I rose her hand to my lips, and kissed it tenderly. “But we have time here, before that unravels...”
The unasked question remained in my eyes. And would you come? Bring the child if you wish. I will keep you safe.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Aug 31, 2011 23:04:02 GMT -5
What exactly just happened I didn't know, but apparently I had misspoken enough to cause a shudder and a swat, along with a dry sentiment that was quickly given an attempt to cover it up. I could have sighed, but didn't; I wasn't sure what was expected of conversation when entering the province that bordered the sea, not to mention a conversation with its Regent Sovereign.
Still, years of practice kept my features smooth, and though the smile faded on my mouth some, it rose a bit with Maels comment on wanting to eventually go to the sea. I was on the cusp of making a noncommittal comment when Gillermo spoke, and I looked to him curiously.
"Of course," I commented softly. "I'm sure the Duchesse would enjoy seeing you as well. I saw her some myself mayhap a month past, and she was thankfully hale."
I wasn't sure how to answer his unspoken question, and so I smiled at him, my hand finding his thigh and giving it a gentle squeeze. Later, I wanted to tell him, private conversations for later; I don't know these people to speak of such things before them.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Sept 3, 2011 15:02:12 GMT -5
"Lessandrie..." Why did that name sound so familiar to me? I knew I had heard it somewhere before, now where did I...
"Oh! Do you mean Lessa?" I asked. "I have met her...once...I doubt she remembers me, that minx! She never told me--ow!" Adrien had chosen that moment to elbow me in the ribs, or at least, I assumed it was his elbow that had done it.
"That's not a polite term to use for a noblewoman," Adrien said quietly.
I sighed. So many rules! How would I have ever tolerated such a life? I suspected I would have run away and joined Eisheth's Order rather than tolerate it.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Sept 7, 2011 8:37:56 GMT -5
I was surprised to hear that Mirielle had see Lessa just a month past, having been told by her kinsman that she was in Ruskovia, and raised a curious eyebrow, yet another when Mael spoke of her the way he did. I took a piece of bread and threw it at him undecorously.
“Noble or not, that's no way to speak of a woman,” I informed him. “And I'll put it on account of your stress that you did, lest I inform the Sovereign Duchess of Eisande that you've been calling her rodent names.”
I couldn't help but laugh a touch, though, because this – friends, and Mirielle, and the general emotion of the conversation, it felt normal, as paradoxal as it may seem, since we were on the edge of war.
And knowing that Mirielle and I would have our own time, I saved my questions for later, when she and I would be on our own.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Sept 9, 2011 9:56:08 GMT -5
Something hit me and fell into my lap, whether thrown by Gillermo or one of the rowdier soldiers in the tent, I didn't know, though I suspected Gillermo had thrown it at me by the admonition that followed.
I let the bread drop to the ground, breaking into a wide grin. "Ha! You're amused by it, I can tell, Gillermo Stregazza. Don't lie to me, either! I can tell when you're doing that too!" The fact that I was jesting about noblewomen with nobles in the first place was an absurdity in itself.
I made to reach for some more food only to realize that my fingers only encountered air. I was too used to the fare they served in the City of Elua--even Night's Doorstep usually filled my belly to full. Ah, well, such was war...
I should be waiting this war out, back in the City of Elua, I thought bitterly, but no, I had to jump on the one chance to actually make progress in my search. Well, I suppose since I had made my bed, now I must lie in it.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Sept 19, 2011 18:04:06 GMT -5
My brow quirked somewhat, and I wasn't sure how to take the sudden exchange in events. The blindfolded man seemed devoid of proprieties, at least to a certain point, and while the fellow sitting next to him tried to keep him on the straight and narrow, monsieur Leblanc seemed determined to continuously misstep. Gillermo was amused though, even if he chided the man to remind him of his manners.. but that too was done with a laugh and a toss of bread.
Men. They were impossible to understand sometimes.
I let it all go by as if I didn't notice any of it, leaving Gillermos two men to him to deal with in whatever fashion he chose to react. I smiled instead, demure, and though I'd broken and reforged a stronger woman since Gillermo and I had last been together, I still knew subtle dances to avoid things I didn't want to acknowledge or deal with. I didn't dislike Mael, but neither was he close to my heart. How could he be, so soon after meeting?
"What do you do for a living, Adrien?" I asked curiously, a kind look on my face and in my eyes as I smiled at Maels companion. "Have you a wife and children back in the City? I should think they would be clamoring for your return, if so. Losing ones loved-one is a difficult thing to bear," I added, casting a fond glance to Gillermo.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Sept 19, 2011 21:17:24 GMT -5
It seemed we were being about as mature as babes, and perhaps it was because there was a lovely woman about, that I was suddenly becoming rowdy like a youth I no longer was.
Still, she interested herself in Mael and Adrien, and I was grateful for it. The fond glance she gave me did not go unheaded, and I reached to sit more snuggly by her, but did not speak, merely giving a discreet nod to indicate that I would not be interrupting the exchange.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Sept 19, 2011 21:55:21 GMT -5
Well, this was something I hadn't considered, and I highly doubted that the future Duchesse of Azzalle had the...tolerant attitude...towards my kind that Gillermo had exhibited. I wished I could have seen Adrien's expression, to be able to tell whether he was about to laugh or to remain stoic. It would be just like him to erupt into bitter laughter when faced with such a topic of conversation.
"Do you really want answers to those questions, lady?" Adrien asked, his tone suggesting that she--and by extension, Gillermo and I--would be better off not pursuing the subject.
"Adrien is my bodyguard, of sorts," I cut in. "But since Gillermo has named me Captain of his personal guard, I suppose that's what we do for a living now." I shrugged. "Call us mercenaries, if you wish," although that term, even spoken so casually, made me shudder inwardly.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Sept 19, 2011 22:45:47 GMT -5
Inwardly, I sighed. Apparently attempting to choose a topic of conversation, one I'd thought was neutral or at least easy to answer with a simple, 'no,' was far harder than I'd thought. Harder than it should be. I sat here now to indulge Gillermo and show my support for him; he mattered, and I wanted him to know it. Had it not been for his presence, though, I'd have excused myself politely, with well wishes and warm smiles, for I didn't wish anything foul or wrong on the men, but I was having a difficult time connecting, and having no common grounds, such as Gillermo, would render the effort mundane and wearisome. Perhaps that was the best word for it, wearisome, for I did not dislike them, but conversation was as difficult as finding an Orchis adept that didn't like to smile.
Mael cut in, though, and I surreptitiously kept my thoughts to myself and off my face, save for a slight wrinkling of my forehead at the curiosity induced by Adriens response. It was a touch rude, at least to what I was used to, but perhaps it wasn't with him. Gillermo slid closer to me, and I welcome his warmth, wishing I could press my face to his shoulder and breathe in the scent of his neck. Elua, my heart still held pangs, was still shocked at what had transpired!
"Ah, but if you intend to remain employed by House Stregazza, then you are mercenaries no more, but guards of high esteem. A noble career," I added softly, still distracted with the want to curl against Gils side.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Sept 19, 2011 23:14:16 GMT -5
I very nearly burst out laughing. Me? A guardsman?! Would the absurdities never end? For both mine and Adrien's sakes, I managed to smile, though I shook my head. "I do not anticipate making a career of it, my lady. 'Tis an odd career choice for a blind man, don't you think?" Had she figured that out already? If she had, she did not remark upon it, which was a point in her favour.
"Also, I have...commitments...in the City of Elua," I continued. "I cannot forsake those commitments completely, even if Gillermo does pay well." This business of speaking after the manner of a nobleman was beginning to get on my nerves, and I suddenly realized how much I missed the brutal honesty and crass vocabulary of Night's Doorstep.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Sept 22, 2011 9:09:06 GMT -5
I'd observed the exchange with some growing concern, and frowned at Mael's response, though only momentarily. Later perhaps I might touch him a word about this manner in which he spoke of my employ. Now, however, was not the time – one thing I'd retained from my own employment as a slave was a deep hatred of public humiliation.
Yet I felt the urge to remind him of his oath and of mine. Some conversations are best served cold.
“At any rate,” I said, “for now our commitments are here – let us focus on the present. As for your status, Mael, you are an officer of my House, and until you resign your commission, I would ask you to respect your rank and behave accordingly.”
I could feel, though, in Mirielle's tone, that she was tired and having some measure of difficulty with the conversation, and opted then to subtract her from it.
“But I suppose there is much work to be done until battle breaks, my lady,” (there was the slightest hint of proprietary inflection on the my) “And I am at your disposal.”
If Mirielle took the bait to excuse herself, I would offfer to escort her – truth be, I needed to speak to her direly about several issues, Mael, in fact, being one of them.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Sept 28, 2011 6:54:39 GMT -5
The abrupt humor in the blind mans face automatically stiffened my spine, and his words did nothing to dissuade the indignation and rather abrupt degradation he so willingly afforded me. My efforts to be polite and cordial, interested in him rather than spending my time with my new fiancee, as I would have preferred to do, were rebuked quite soundly. Whatever the reasonings, he was rude; there was no excusing it this time.
Gillermo spoke ahead of me, and I held my silence in honor of it. I didn't know what he was thinking; I didn't look at him, and we had been separated from one another so long that I couldn't read him well without looking at him.
"Indeed," I said, when he addressed me, and if my tone was a touch dry, it wasn't because of him. My gaze swung from the two men before me, and I gave my husband-to-be a smile, wishing I could kiss him rather than simply look at him. That would never do, though, not in light of everything, and not in front of these adolescents in mens bodies.
"Please, do excuse me," I said, giving Gillermos hand a squeeze before I rose. I didn't expect the others to rise as well just because I did - that sort of thing obviously was not in their nature. "I have things I must tend to, and a meeting I pushed off in favor of meeting you."
Oh, I wanted to leave a biting remark about how I was sure they would not miss my presence at all, but I didn't. Instead, I touched Gillermos shoulder fondly, offered a smile to the other two, and made my way back towards the tent that doubled for my office once more, my skirts swishing gently about my ankles.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Sept 28, 2011 11:25:00 GMT -5
To say that the conversation had gone from difficult to sour would have been an understatement, and in truth I was irritated with my friends. That I be a patient and liberal employer did not excuse Mael's behavior – and I suspected that I'd just purchased myself conundrums and grief in a tightly knit package. “Until then,” I told my men, and leaving my meal, and started after Mirielle. “Mirielle,” I said after I'd caught up with her, “Allow me to escort you back, at least.” I wanted to apologize to her for their behavior, which had been far more difficult to excuse, suddenly, in her sophisticated presence. “I'm sorry for my men. I sought to give thugs a chance at honest employment – call it a labor of reform, barely in its infancy. Do you forgive me?” [OOC: @carol: We don't have to keep it going for long, yours can be the last if you like? Do you want me to start pillow-talk stuff? Or should we use curtains on the other thread of non-smut and pursue there? Catherine nó Gentian : Hope that's okay? We do need to wrap up this old thread...
Sorry for the use of the ooc note, I'm trying to be fast >.>]
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Sept 28, 2011 21:16:58 GMT -5
I hadn't gone too far when I heard boots behind me. It didn't surprise me, and I paid little heed to it; boots and hooves were common place in a war camp, but when Gillermo spoke up, I nearly jumped, my head turning to him with eyes widened in surprise. "Oh Gil," I breathed softly, risking a peeking glance back at the table, though I couldn't see it anymore through the throng of men and tents. "You didn't have to part with them, I didn't mean to drag you away as well. And you don't have to apologize... Your mouth is not theirs, and they are grown men."
My mouth took hold of a smile, though, and I ducked my head a little, almost as if I were hiding. "I am happy to see you though.. I have some.. ah.. documents in my tent that you might be interested in seeing." My cheeks reddened a little, but I glanced up at him from under my lashes, my eyes dancing with innuendos unnamed.
OOC: Yeah I was looking for you on IM actually xD Lets do a quick post-smex thread here? I'll start it directly.
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