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Post by Deleted on Feb 29, 2016 20:02:58 GMT -5
She sighs a bit as they come up to the Villa proper. Time to go back to the gilded cage. Still, the room doesn't seem like it will be as stuffy now.
She pats his arm softly with her free hand as they approach the door. "Thank you, for coming to visit me today. And thank you for the walk. I've enjoyed myself. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow? If you have nothing to do, of course." She asks, somewhat hopeful, a smile on her face.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 29, 2016 20:08:17 GMT -5
My smile deepens again. "I'll never have anything to do again." I say. It takes a few moments for the words to register to my foolish mind.
"I, uhm—I mean, I won't have anything else to do. By that, I mean, um." My cheeks darken, and I'm suddenly terrified of connecting gazes with her. "Nothing more important, than getting to..." Unbelievable, really. This circumstance of the bewildering world. Somehow, someway I am in a position where I can say this to a woman free of consequence. Not that I've ever taken much time to speak to women, but now I suppose I'll be getting lots of experience. I feel light. Astris is the most intensely interesting and lovely person I've ever known, and this has been only for the better part of the morning. Something terrible is bound to happen. "...know you." I offer a hesitant smile.
My fingers slide down the stubble along the side of my head where my hair is cropped short. I watch for a reaction.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 29, 2016 20:16:36 GMT -5
Is..is he blushing? I hadn't known grown men could, after childhood. His words are earnest, stumbling and...utterly disarming. To have a man such as he, reduced to stammering is...a powerful feeling, and yet it lends to feelings of affection she hadn't quite realized were occurring.
She finds herself smiling in response, her own blush creeping along her neck and cheeks, in sympathy and excitement. "I'm glad. I mean, I'm happy that's the case." She stands, watching him, smile matching smile before she realizes they look like fools. "I should go." She says, chuckling somewhat. "Tomorrow then."
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Post by Deleted on Feb 29, 2016 20:18:39 GMT -5
I smile. "Tomorrow." * * * The afternoon was significantly less preferable to the morn for me. After we had parted, I made for my rooms in good haste. There would still be some things I needed to tend to before Lord Alcob awoke and summoned me. When the servant intercepted me, I knew I did not have that time. "Lord Ikram—", the servant began. I bodily pushed past the man who staggered momentarily. "It can wait." I insisted. "Your father demands your presence." the embittered servant snapped. "I demand the lack of yours." I threw back. The servant levelled a dark gaze at me. I knew, were I another noble's son that no servant would dare speak to me with such venom. The man turned curtly on his heels and began to clack his fine shoes down the stone hall. I brought my hand up to brush across my bristled scalp. Lord Alcob would be beside himself with anger. I needed to sort my things away and hurry. I turned and sought out my room, finding it shortly. This was the first time I'd ever been in this 'house', as it may be called. I'd nearly gotten lost half-a-dozen times already. Still the general landmarks quit shifting some hours ago when the decorating ended, and the Tadwicke party arrived. Upon finding my room, I put away the signs that I had been out. My coat found its way into its trunk, and my boots were cleaned of the morning's dirt. Afterwards, I made care to see to my appearance. It would not do to be untidy before Lord Alcob. He hated that. Lord Alcob was a man who ran a house with military precision. To make a breech of conduct or fail in some way meant humiliation and hard work for the better parts of the day. I was quite good at mucking stalls, cleaning chamber pots, washing walls and windows, milking cows, and also running laps. Running laps was once the worst. Once I felt confident enough to face the man who raised me with a whip in one hand, I gathered my usual accoutrements and left to his quarters. Alcob's quarters were quite expansive, having literally been once warehouse storage that was added onto the house after its resale. Large wooden doors with iron bands and rings for handles made for the last cushion between myself and my father. I had to steel myself to see him, which was nothing unusual. To fake my confidence, I took both rings and pulled the doors wide before me. My father's rooms looked to be decked like a court hall. Many of his treasures and prizes lined the walkway through the center, and one of his greater and most luxurious pieces of furniture awaited at the end of his quarters. Behind several screens set for privacy, his sleeping area was made to the left of this 'throne'. There was likely a bed decked with a multitude of scented furs and at least one concubine. Fortunately I knew that would not be my mother, this time. I kept my focus on the center of the room, across which Alcob waited for me. He was speaking to one of his consultative staff likely regarding some matter at home. I made my way to the edge of his attention and waited, silently, with my hands folded behind my back. "Enough." said Alcob. His gaze turned to me, and he smiled. "Hello son. Did you enjoy this morning?" he asks, with feigned excitement. He turns his attention to the articles that his consultant had placed at an arm of his grand chair. "It was pleasant, My Lord." Lying would do me no favors. "You know you are not to leave the house, child." his voice is chilling through his absent smile. He speaks while picking up parchment, observing their contents. I do not respond. He waits. "So why did you?" he asks, refocusing on me. "Father, it is not as though I would run—" I begin. He preferred it like this, I knew. I could give him something small to be angry over, so that he might have less energy to be enraged over that which I wanted to avoid his ire in. It was deceptive, but there are worse things. "You will call me Lord, or so help me I will break you." the man jumps forward while still sitting, and shakes a pale finger at me. His face turns into an animalistic scowl. I swallow, and nod. "Of course, My Lord. It was a pleasant day. My betrothed did not wish to stay in the house. I accompanied her, and left a good impression. It was for the good of the marriage, and your house's union with the Tadwickes."
His nasty eyes narrowed with indignation. "You were not told to do this, child.""I took the initiative, My Lord." I offer. He stares at me critically for too long. I feel as though time could never move forward again. My father laughs, deep from his gut. "Good! Good! I always thought you were a stupid boy, but maybe you're finally growing some sense. Better late than never, eh?" he grins on his words. I nod. "I am happy you feel this way." My face is a neutral mask. Were it anything else, my father might try to attack my feelings. As it were, I feel disassociated from my emotions. "Good." he says. "We'll have lunch. There is much to discuss. Maybe you'll actually learn something, eh child?" his mood is cheerful. It is a false thing. My father, Lord Alcob, is a cruel man. Mirth is another weapon to him. I tried to learn. * * * The night crept up on me before I had known what happened. I might have, otherwise, taken the opportunity to dine with Astris. As it was, I couldn't quit thinking about her. That didn't stop as I went to bed, wondering what it was she would be thinking about.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2016 19:45:56 GMT -5
Her feet were light as she went through the house, thinking back over the conversation she'd had. Obsessively breaking down each aspect of the conversation was well and good, until she was completely unsure as to what was really said anymore. She gave that up around the time she realized that she had absolutely no idea where her room was. Astris stopped a passing servant, a tall man, if a bit brusque looking. "Excuse me, might you be able to direct me to my room? I appear to have gotten quite turned around." She smiles in what she hopes is a disarming way. "Who are you again?" The servant inquired. "Oh, I am Lady Tadwicke. The younger." I add hastily. "Oh, begging your pardon my Lady, your mother has half the staff looking for you. If you will come with me please.." He gestures. "Oh. Lovely." Her voice keeps a perk that her face can't quite relay. *** Lady Elsbeth had just reached her stride, and hated to leave a dramatic scene half-spent. "Not only did you leave the premises, you did so without an escort. Without a chaperone! Anything could have happened!""We were in public, mother. Unless you expected me to lift my skirts in the middle of the marketplace, nothing could have happened." I replied, somewhat snarkily. Something about being treated like a love-sick child when this is an arranged marriage seemed to raise my ire. My mother came very near me then, waving her finger in my face. "You will not do this again. You will not jeopardize this marriage. What if Mr. Wylmont took offense? Then the ruin of your father and your father's house would be on your head!" She snapped. "Your ruin." I say quietly. "What was that?" She seethed. I raise my voice a little louder. "Your ruin mother. Or how else will you keep funding your lover's entertainment?" I say shakily. I had never had the courage to call her out about her indiscretions before, not that it would have mattered. Even if I told my father, he would forget within the hour, and she would have calmed his forgetful mind again. I gasped from the jolting pain as she slapped me. In hindsight, I should have expected it. "You listen to me, spoiled brat. I created you, and you will do as I say. You will keep your trap shut. You will smile. You will be courteous to our hosts and you will do nothing to jeopardize this marriage, do I make myself clear?" She says with firm, stilted and punctuated enunciation. "I understand." I say quietly. What else could I do? I have power, not much yet, but a little. But to expose myself to my mother or anyone else would be to invite disaster upon myself and my father who hid my talents. My mother smoothed her dress as she put her rage away. "Now then." She began much more gently, a falsely sweet tone to her voice. "You're looking a little...healthy today my dear. We must make sure you're in the best fit for your dress come your wedding day, right? You should forgo a meal and stay with water. It certainly will not harm your...ample...frame any." She smiled. "Yes mother." I said, and watched my mother leave my quarters. My joking words about being sent to bed without supper coming back to me. Who knew that I was also prescient? *** As evening faded into night, I wondered what life would be like soon. And if I would be able to meet with Ikram again before the wedding. I smiled, realizing that I was hoping so.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2016 17:25:31 GMT -5
I sought no excuses for leaving my quarters that morning while the shy light of the sun raised over the horizon. The snow had turned to rain in the last day, and the snows had been pervasive that year. If the rains proved strong enough, it would be far from a day to leave the villa.
I walked with purpose through its mismatching halls. They were still decked with fineries, and most odd of all were these arches that were brought in to 'support' the rafters above, giving each hall an illusion of being much taller than it was. They were made of fine wood, and extravagantly carved. They only served to enhance the surreality I felt in walking through these halls again after the illusion had been made.
Illusions of grandeur and wealth have always been tools for my father. His best deals—the ones he bragged of often were made on an imaginary product that did not become real before the investments had been made. The majority of his intimidation seemed an act; however, more than one of his competitors or those who crossed him have vanished without word. It was obvious what happened to them, to those who worked with my father. For my part, I had heard him negotiate the price of a man's life. If anyone were curious, I could tell them that it was anywhere from twelve to two hundred ritz.
On average.
I strode to the heavy door which barricaded the room of my betrothed from the zig-zagging halls and rapped three times, sharply. I couldn't help but smile.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2016 17:39:46 GMT -5
Astris had found sleep to be a troubling and fleeting thing that night. Eventually, she had given up on the attempt altogether and decided to curl up with a blanket and one of the precious few books that she owned. Calling this one a book was a bit of an exaggeration. It was a collection of children stories that Astris had gathered in her childhood, committing them to paper as she was learning High Cruic. The writing may be childish in the early pages, but the content was sound. The looseleaf pages sewn together, but without binding. It needed repair every so often, but at least the words were on paper. So few stories were.
The hour was early, as such she had seen no need to put her hair back, although she was dressed in case the staff came in to add wood to the fire. When the knock came, she assumed it was such an occasion.
"Come in." She said, turning a page, and realizing with a sigh that the damnable page had yet again managed to come loose from it's brethren.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2016 18:00:20 GMT -5
I reached out for the door handle instinctively, and found myself wondering—was barging unannounced into a woman's room proper? A conundrum. Instead, I cracked the door a sliver.
"Astris? It's me." Your husband-to-be? That seemed immensely impolite, presumptuous even. It was true regardless. That was the least thing I could have wanted here. Astris was a woman who wouldn't take well to gruffness, I was sure. It was not, however, as though I knew a great many women, but I dearly wanted to know this one better and better.
"Is it alright if I come in?" I ask. I feel foolish for letting hesitation creep into my voice. She certainly would not care for a man without confidence, or so I thought. What was it she would be pleased with?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2016 18:38:00 GMT -5
She blinks, hesitating a half second, then finds herself jumping up out of the blanket nest she'd made for herself, straightening her clothing. "J-just a minute!" She shoves a box out of the way of her mirror, propped up against a wall, to check her appearance, taking a second to quickly run her fingers through her as yet, unbrushed hair.
She twists it back after a second of fussing, then turns and says "Sorry, come in, please." her voice is somewhat out of breath...then she notices her undergarments of the day previous lying on the floor. She pushes it under her bed with a foot as the door opens.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2016 18:48:17 GMT -5
I can't help but smile as I open the door. As always, Astris was lovely to behold. I felt self-conscious for a moment, before asking abruptly "Hello, what do you want to do today?" As the frog climbed into my throat with my words, I realized that I was nervous. Again. I wanted to hide.
"I was thinking that, perhaps, if the rain settles, we can see the horses. Or maybe we can go to the market again. I have a small purse, maybe I could get something for you." How could I be most considerate? "Also, what things would please your mother? Does she care for flowers? I know that—or rather, it seems like you have a strained relationship with her. I want to make this week an easy one for you. Something you can remember without unhappiness." I shifted from foot to foot, watching for her reaction. I wanted to do the correct things to win her approval.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2016 18:57:56 GMT -5
She smiled in response to his own. It seemed impossible to do otherwise. It fades somewhat at the mention of her mother. 'You will not do this again' echoed in her mind.
She shakes her head. "Nevermind my mother. I would love to do anything, really. Perhaps breakfast first however, it is an early hour for me and I have not yet eaten. I hope you didn't raise your father's ire over our outing yesterday?" She smiles again.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2016 19:22:55 GMT -5
We make our way for breakfast. I'm still unsure what the room that food is served in should be called. Not quite a dining hall, really. I shake my head in response to her question. "Everything raises my father's ire. It's very easy." I grin at her. I didn't make a joke, but I still grin at her for the sake of it. It feels like I'm smiling more since this week. "You look lovely." I say as an aside. "Maybe after breakfast, you can tell me a bit more about yourself. I know you study, but I don't know what you study, or how. Or maybe, if it quits raining, we could see the horses?"
I'm animated as I speak. "Or if you don't want to do that, we could do something else." I shrug. "Whatever you'd like."
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2016 19:59:40 GMT -5
She laughs, blushing at his words somewhat. "I would love to go see the horses." Truth to tell, she couldn't care less about horses at the moment, but he seemed so eager and pleased that she couldn't resist.
"As for what I study, that's something of an encompassing question. I.." am an amateur rogue mage "..enjoy histories. Stories. I especially enjoy learning how things work. That must seem silly." She chuckles. "Scholarship for it's own sake doesn't exactly have much worldly application."
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2016 20:06:52 GMT -5
I shrug my shoulders. "The greatest men and women in the world are scholars. They influence, they lead and they determine everything in the world. But you don't have to, I mean." I scratch the back of my neck. "Just being as smart as you are, that's enough." More stupid words dribble out like vomit from a babe's mouth. I shake my head, feeling stupid.
"You could build a business, I don't doubt. Easily. Or be a merchant, or steward for a duke, or maybe even work with the Kingdom." I shrug. "Knowing what you know, being able to learn what you can—it makes you worth much more than someone who can just kill well... for example." I didn't want her to know I was comparing myself to her, but I also wanted to make it clear that I found her to be much more important to me. More valuable.
She had to have known that she was getting the least out of everyone involved. She would be stuck, trapped with me. I had no chance of being mentally stimulating for her, and most of her time would be spent humoring me. It was a bleak future, I could imagine, but her face and form and having the pleasure of looking at both at this precise moment of time tended to thrust dark thoughts out of my mind, no matter what issue they were situated in.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2016 20:16:17 GMT -5
She shrugs slightly. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. I had not anticipated marrying someone who would find anything I had to say or be interested in worthwhile. You are a pleasant surprise." The words came easy, she'd meant to comfort, but realized that she meant them true enough. Something about his earnest comments commanded truth.
She looked at him then and smiled. "For now...breakfast. I am absolutely starving."
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